The map in the Manuscript
Abu'l Majd Muhammad b. Mas'ud Tabrizi:
Safina-yi Tabriz; (1323) (Treasury of Tabriz)
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Safina-yi Tabriz (The Vessel or treasure of Tabriz) is an important encyclopedic manuscript from 14th century Ilkhanid Iran compiled by Abu'l Majd Muhammad ibn Mas'ud Tabrizi between 1321 and 1323. The Safinah contains works of a number of philosophers who were not known until the discovery of the manuscript. Its 209 articles cover: hadeeth, lexicography, ethics, mysticism, jurisprudence, theology, exegesis, history, grammar, linguistics, literature, literary criticism, philosophy, astronomy, astrology, geomancy, mineralogy, mathematics, medicine, music, physiognomy, cosmography and geography. The text is not important for East Africa.
Taken from: http://www.academia.edu/4201672/
The_Exotic_Geography_Knowledge_from_Ilkhanate_a_Study_on_the_World_Map_in_Safineh_yi_Tabriz
In this world map Africa is split in two. In the western half is the Maghreb the Eastern has the Mouintains of the Moon and Habash. The large western bay is called Bahr al Barbar.
This text is accompanied by a map that has the title 'suvar al-aqalim 'ala sabil al-ajmal (Shapes of the Climes, presented in the most concise way) On this map a certain Zayn ad-Din ibn 'Ubayd ad-Din has twice written his own name, and in the nast'aliq script of the ninth century (2) he has written: in this, the city of Shiraz (1) is correct, thus….
Taken from: The treasury of Tabriz: the great Il-khanid compendium by Ali Asghar Seyed-Gohrab, Sen McGlinn Rozenberg
On pages 654-655 it contains a chapter on physiognomy (called Dala'il al-a'da' ) and its use when buying a slave. The order in which the person is examined: the nose, the lips and teeth and finally the hair; the examination of the eyes and eyebrows have their own chapter; also examination of ears and nails is added. But no distinctions are made between the different races of people.
(1) Shiraz: is a city in south-central Iran, known for its literary history and many gardens. Because of many trade contacts between them and east Africa the Swahili kept calling themselves Shirazi till well into the 20th century.
(2) 9th century AH = 15th century AD