4.2.1

Mansa Musa

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Who was Mansa Musa?

Mansa Musa was the emperor of Mali from approximately 1312-1337. His reign helped the Empire of Mali gain recognition around the world.

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Mansa Musa's background

  • Mansa Musa was the great nephew of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita.
    • He was born around 1280 and was the 9th Emperor.
  • Mansa Musa is most known for his hajj, or religious journey to Mecca, in 1324. He was a devoted Muslim and brought much religious strength to the Empire during his reign.
  • Mansa Musa was incredibly ambitious. He conquered 24 cities during his rule.
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Many unknowns

  • There are very few accounts of Mansa Musa's life remaining today. Many were given by Griot, official storytellers in Africa at the time.
    • Historian al-Umari gleaned information on Mansa Musa from officials who had met the emperor during his hajj.
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Incidental rise to power

  • According to Mansa Musa, the emperor before him left on a journey to find the Atlantic Ocean. He took 200 ships filled with men and another 200 filled with gold, water, and supplies.
  • When only one ship returned, the emperor prepared 2000 ships to try and find those who were missing. He left Mansa Musa to look after the empire for him.
  • The emperor never returned and so, Mansa Musa became emperor.
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Mansa Musa's legacy

  • Mansa Musa is remembered for leaving Mali with wealth, strength, recognition and greater levels of religious and intellectual education.
  • He was well-known outside of Africa.
    • The Catalan Atlas, a map made by Majorcan mapmakers, placed Mali right at its centre even after Musa's death in the 1330s.
  • His son, Maghan, became the next Mansa.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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