Mansa Musa

Musa I, also known as Mansa Musa, was the Mali Empire’s tenth Mansa. He has been called the wealthiest person in the Middle Ages. From 1312 to 1337, he ruled Mali. During his rule, he was known as “Emir of Melle,” “Lord of the Mines of Wangara,” and “Conqueror of Ghanata.” He conquered 24 cities and the territories that surrounded them. The land of the former Ghana Empire, which Mali had conquered, was a substantial part of Mali at the time of Musa’s ascent to the throne. During his reign, Mali was the world’s largest gold producer. He is also regarded as one of history’s wealthiest figures. “Kankou Musa,” “Kankan Musa,” “Kanku Musa,” “Mali-Koy Kankan Musa,” “Gonga Musa,” and “the Lion of Mali” are some of his other names. He also aided the expansion of his empire by promoting the arts, literature, and architecture.

Despite the fact that he is the wealthiest man in history, and the wealthiest individual of the Middle Ages, there is no exact way to measure his fortune.

What is Mansa Musa Famous For?

• During the Middle Ages, he was regarded as one of the wealthiest historical figures.

Where was Mansa Musa Born?

In the year 1280, Mansa Musa was born. He was born in the Empire of Mali. Faga Laye, his father, gave birth to him. There is no information regarding his mother. Musa’s grandfather was Abu-Bakr Keita, according to Ibn-comprehensive Khaldun’s chronicle of the Malian rulers. His faith was Islam. His Mecca journey made him famous throughout northern Africa and the Middle East.

Mansa Musa Lifestory:

• Musa’s grandfather, Abu-Bakr, did not succeed to the throne, and his father, Faga, is unimportant in Mali history.
• Musa ascended to the throne by selecting a deputy when a king departs on a pilgrimage to Mecca or for some other reason, and then naming the deputy as successor.
• He was named Abubakari Keita II’s deputy. Before him, a king set off on an expedition to investigate the Atlantic Ocean’s limits and never returned.
• In 1312, Musa changed his name to Mansa.
• The Mali Empire encompassed what is now Mauritania and the modern-day country of Mali.
• Between the years 1324 and 1325, he undertook his pilgrimage. 60,000 men, including 12,000 slaves, marched in his parade, all dressed in brocade and Persian silk. The slaves each carried 1.8 kg of gold bars and heralds. There were also 80 camels in his parade, each carrying 23-136 kg of gold dust.
• Musa would distribute the gold to the destitute people he saw on his way to Mecca. He also exchanged gold for trinkets. Every Friday, he erected a mosque.
• In the Mediterranean, he was in charge of the gold price.

• In 1325, he returned from Mecca. He returned with a large number of Arabian intellectuals and architects.
• In Timbuktu and Gao, he erected several mosques and madrasas, the most famous of which is Sankore Madrasah. He also constructed the Audience Hall.
• In Timbuktu, he constructed his grand palace, which later became a hub of trade and culture.
• Under Musa’s reign, the University of Sankore in Timbuktu was restaffed with jurists, astronomers, and mathematicians. It had a capacity of 25,000 students and one of the world’s largest libraries, with approximately 1,000,000 manuscripts.

Mansa Musa Wife:

Inari Kuante was Mansa Musa’s wife. During his trip, his son and successor, Mansa Magha Keita, was named deputy. Maghan, Musa’s son, governed Mali from 1337 to 1341. There isn’t much information about his personal life available.

Mansa Musa Death:

Mansa Musa died in the year 1337, at the age of 56 or 57. His death date, on the other hand, is disputed by modern historians. When comparing the reigns of his successors, his death is estimated to have occurred in 1337. Musa is said to have died soon after returning from Mecca, according to certain sources.

Quick Facts About Mansa Musa