Light

Mansa Musa

Definition

Mansa Musa was a ruler (mansa) of the Mali Empire in the 14th century who is famous for his immense wealth and extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca.

Analogy

Imagine Mansa Musa as Jeff Bezos traveling around space today. Just as Bezos' wealth allows him to undertake ambitious journeys, Mansa Musa's wealth allowed him an extravagant pilgrimage that left a lasting impression on regions he passed through.

Historical Context

Mansa Musa (c. 1280 – c. 1337) was the ninth emperor of the Mali Empire, one of the prosperous Sahelian kingdoms in West Africa. His reign began in 1312 and is noted for its extraordinary wealth, extensive trade networks, and fostering of Islamic scholarship. Mansa Musa expanded Mali's territory, secured its trade routes, and enhanced its wealth through the significant production of gold.

Historical Significance

Related terms

Hajj: The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.

Gold-Salt Trade: This refers to how West African empires such as Mali became wealthy by controlling trade routes where gold was exchanged for salt among other goods.

Timbuktu: A city in Mali which became a center for trade, education, and Islam under Mansa Musa's rule.