Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) was the ruler of the kingdom of Republic of mali from 1312 C.E. to 1337 C.E. During his reign, Mali was one of the richest kingdoms of Africa, and Mansa Musa was amid the richest individuals in the world. The ancient kingdom of Republic of mali spread across parts of modern-day Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Islamic republic of mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Mansa Musa developed cities similar Timbuktu and Gao into important cultural centers. He too brought architects from the Middle Eastward and across Africa to design new buildings for his cities. Mansa Musa turned the kingdom of Republic of mali into a sophisticated heart of learning in the Islamic world.

Mansa Musa came to power in 1312 C.Due east., after the previous king, Abu Bakr II, disappeared at sea. Mansa Abu Bakr 2 had departed on a large armada of ships to explore the Atlantic Ocean, and never returned. Mansa Musa inherited a kingdom that was already wealthy, only his work in expanding merchandise fabricated Republic of mali the wealthiest kingdom in Africa. His riches came from mining significant salt and golden deposits in the Mali kingdom. Elephant ivory was some other major source of wealth.

When Mansa Musa went on a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca in 1324 C.E., his journey through Egypt caused quite a stir. The kingdom of Mali was relatively unknown outside of Due west Africa until this upshot. Arab writers from the fourth dimension said that he travelled with an entourage of tens of thousands of people and dozens of camels, each carrying 136 kilograms (300 pounds) of gilt. While in Cairo, Mansa Musa met with the Sultan of Egypt, and his caravan spent and gave abroad and so much gilded that the overall value of gold decreased in Arab republic of egypt for the next 12 years. Stories of his fabulous wealth fifty-fifty reached Europe. The Catalan Atlas, created in 1375 C.E. by Castilian cartographers, shows West Africa dominated by a delineation of Mansa Musa sitting on a throne, holding a nugget of gold in one hand and a gold staff in the other. After the publication of this atlas, Mansa Musa became cemented in the global imagination every bit a figure of stupendous wealth.

Afterwards his render from Mecca, Mansa Musa began to revitalize cities in his kingdom. He built mosques and big public buildings in cities like Gao and, most famously, Timbuktu. Timbuktu became a major Islamic university center during the 14thursday century due to Mansa Musa's developments. Mansa Musa brought architects and scholars from across the Islamic globe into his kingdom, and the reputation of the Mali kingdom grew. The kingdom of Mali reached its greatest extent around the aforementioned fourth dimension, a bustling, wealthy kingdom thanks to Mansa Musa's expansion and administration.

Mansa Musa died in 1337 and was succeeded by his sons. His skilful assistants left his empire well-off at the time of his death, merely eventually, the empire brutal apart. Well later on his death, Mansa Musa remained engrained in the imagination of the world every bit a symbol of fabulous wealth. However, his riches are merely ane part of his legacy, and he is also remembered for his Islamic organized religion, promotion of scholarship, and patronage of culture in Mali.

Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali)

The fame of Mansa Musa and his phenomenal wealth spread every bit he traveled on his hajj to Mecca. Afterward, he put himself and his kingdom, West Africa'south Mali, on the map, literally. Mali's Timbuktu (shown hither in this 1858 painting by Heinrich Barth) was known for its schools and libraries.

caravan

Noun

group of people who travel together for condom and companionship through difficult territory.

cartographer

Noun

person who makes maps.

Noun

learned behavior of people, including their languages, belief systems, social structures, institutions, and material goods.

empire

Noun

grouping of nations, territories or other groups of people controlled by a single, more powerful authority.

Islam

Noun

religion based on the words and philosophy of the prophet Mohammed.

Substantive

(1200-1600) kingdom in Northwest Africa.

mosque

Noun

identify of worship in the Muslim or Islamic religion.

pilgrimage

Noun

spiritual journeying or travel to a sacred place.

trade

Noun

buying, selling, or exchanging of appurtenances and services.

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    Director

    Tyson Brown, National Geographic Social club

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    National Geographic Gild

    Production Managers

    Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
    Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society

    Plan Specialists

    Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Lodge
    Margot Willis, National Geographic Gild

    Producer

    Clint Parks

    Final Updated

    Apr 14, 2020

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