+peter browne: And there's still a lot to discover about him. Every biography, for example, skims over the fact that Burton was a Mason and a Sufi (the two are historically related). The details of these affiliations have not been brought to light . . .
Interesting...I just lectured a bit on Masonry this morning in relation to the Enlightenment. And as for Sufism, this is path I myself follow, or at least attempt to...partially in emulation of...Sir Richard Burton. I do not believe that this man whose habit it was to read the great Persian poets in the original Farsi was as superficial as he is often at least implicitly made out to be.
+peter browne: Are you acquainted with the chapter on Burton in Idries Shah's book "The Sufis" (?) Shah was a con-man . . . but a knowledgeable one. I can confirm from my own experience a lot of what he says that is so esoteric that not 1 in a million people can do likewise. So I rate the chances good that his chapter on Burton also reveals hitherto unknown info on the relationship between Burton, Masonry, and Sufism . . . although I have been unable to verify it myself (not for lack of trying). There's more to be done, I'm convinced . . .
Shah's book introduced me to Sufism when I was a teenager. I do not remember much about it, but from what I recall his vision of Sufism is somewhat bizarre. Perhaps the chapter on Burton is worth rereading. I have not lived in the East but tend to gravitate towards Turks, Persians, and Arabs, of the more educated classes. Your major point is of course very well taken: much of Burton remains virgin territory.
Burton was a very interesting and fascinating man. The man keeps asking him to touch on Burton's experience in harare, Somali,and the historian man wants to talk about his ability do disguise as an arab lol.. I'm somali and i particularly find that part of harare very interesting. Good thing they didn't kill him.
It’s not that anyone thinks he should be sainted, it’s how much this man accomplished and how incredibly talented he was. No one can argue that this was one of the most interesting people that’s ever lived.
@@chrisledbetter9278 Very true, Chris. Makes my life seem boring. But Jeal presents a view rather contrary to prior chroniclers. Worth considering. Delighted that you commented...
Richard Burton told Somalis he is a muslim from Mecca and his name was Haji Abdallah. They welcomed him and even led muslim prayers as Imam. Some of the Somali elders saw him urinating while standing and immediately going to the mosque and leading prayers which is forbidden in Islam. That is how Somalis discovered Burton was not a Muslim and elders ordered his expulsion. That is the Somali version of this story.
True: Burton is the most interesting historical personage. Of all time and place.
peter browne And he is endlessly fascinating.
+peter browne: And there's still a lot to discover about him. Every biography, for example, skims over the fact that Burton was a Mason and a Sufi (the two are historically related). The details of these affiliations have not been brought to light . . .
Interesting...I just lectured a bit on Masonry this morning in relation to the Enlightenment. And as for Sufism, this is path I myself follow, or at least attempt to...partially in emulation of...Sir Richard Burton. I do not believe that this man whose habit it was to read the great Persian poets in the original Farsi was as superficial as he is often at least implicitly made out to be.
+peter browne: Are you acquainted with the chapter on Burton in Idries Shah's book "The Sufis" (?) Shah was a con-man . . . but a knowledgeable one. I can confirm from my own experience a lot of what he says that is so esoteric that not 1 in a million people can do likewise. So I rate the chances good that his chapter on Burton also reveals hitherto unknown info on the relationship between Burton, Masonry, and Sufism . . . although I have been unable to verify it myself (not for lack of trying). There's more to be done, I'm convinced . . .
Shah's book introduced me to Sufism when I was a teenager. I do not remember much about it, but from what I recall his vision of Sufism is somewhat bizarre. Perhaps the chapter on Burton is worth rereading.
I have not lived in the East but tend to gravitate towards Turks, Persians, and Arabs, of the more educated classes.
Your major point is of course very well taken: much of Burton remains virgin territory.
Burton was a very interesting and fascinating man.
The man keeps asking him to touch on Burton's experience in harare, Somali,and the historian man wants to talk about his ability do disguise as an arab lol..
I'm somali and i particularly find that part of harare very interesting. Good thing they didn't kill him.
Great lecture. Thanks. Burton seems to be the inspiration for the Most Interesting Man in the World.
Speke spoke Hindustani from his soldiering days in India; he and Burton spoke it routinely on their Lakes expedition.
Thanks for posting this. It would be good to know title of discussion series and names of participants???
Before you complete Burton's ascent to sainthood, read Tim Jeal's "Explorers of the Nile."
It’s not that anyone thinks he should be sainted, it’s how much this man accomplished and how incredibly talented he was. No one can argue that this was one of the most interesting people that’s ever lived.
@@chrisledbetter9278 Very true, Chris. Makes my life seem boring. But Jeal presents a view rather contrary to prior chroniclers. Worth considering. Delighted that you commented...
@@robmeyer7985 I hope his moustache becomes a fad.
THE CITY OF THE SAINTS is a book that would well merit a talk of this length
The Diaries of the 1899-1801 AD Mountains Men are another source
Richard Burton told Somalis he is a muslim from Mecca and his name was Haji Abdallah. They welcomed him and even led muslim prayers as Imam. Some of the Somali elders saw him urinating while standing and immediately going to the mosque and leading prayers which is forbidden in Islam. That is how Somalis discovered Burton was not a Muslim and elders ordered his expulsion. That is the Somali version of this story.
Nice
I’m prob gone donate to yo college if I get another stimulus ...
Speke probably was a narcissist. You know the type when you've worked with one.
Re building the Agro tech infrastructure
Bravo
It has happened
So basically, another early, postmodern libertine. Interesting, but mostly sad. Intelligent, but juxtaposed with madness.
I prefer Speke