Imagine if the richest man ever to live in history was still alive today. What impacts or changes could he bring to the current world? His wealth could be able to cater to Zimbabwe’s 2019 expenditure and also fill in its budget deficit of about 1.57 billion US dollars. Moreover, his money was too much that he could provide for the 2020 budget for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The man could also pay the external debt of Sierra Leone that was less than $5 billion according to the 2017 figures. Therefore, try and picture how much wealth this man possessed.
The name of the man was Mansa Musa who was once the emperor of the Mali Kingdom. His estimated net worth as of today is over $390 billion.
A Brief History of the Mali Empire and the Richest Man
The Mali Kingdom is also known as the Manden Kurufaba. It was an empire in the western region of Africa from 1235-1670. Sundiata Keita is its founder. The Mali Empire was famous for the wealth of its rulers especially Mansa Musa. People spoke the Manding languages in the Kingdom. The Kingdom was the biggest in W. Africa and influenced the way of life of West Africa via the spread of its language and traditions. The main source of information concerning the Empire comes from the Mandinka oral traditions via the griots.
The Mali Kingdom started as a small Mandinka Empire. During the 11th and 12th centuries, it started to grow as a Kingdom following the collapse of the Ghana Kingdom. After the demise of Sundiata Keita, people referred to the rulers of Mali by the title Mansa.
In 1542, the Songhay intruded the city of Niani but failed in conquering the Kingdom. During the 17th century, the Kingdom of Mali faced intrusions from the Bamana Kingdom. In 1670, Bamana burned Niani and the Mali Kingdom separated and stopped to exist. The Keitas departed to Kangaba, a town, where they became mere provincial chiefs. Now, having known the history of the Mali Empire, it is important to study Mansa Musa, the richest man to ever live, because he played a part in the development of the Empire.
About Mansa Musa
Musa the 1st was the 10th Mansa of the Mali Kingdom. People have described him as the richest person of the Middle Ages. Musa held various titles during his rule. Some of them are Emir of Melle, Conqueror of Ghanata, and the Lord of the Mines of Wangara. Mansa conquered more than 20 cities along with their close districts. During the rule of Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire was the largest producer of gold in the globe.
There are little records about the early life of Mansa Musa but all we know is that he had a father, spouse, and children. His father was called Faga Laye, his spouse Inari Kunate and his children were Maghan the 1st and Maghan. The earliest recorded appearance seems to be when he served as a deputy to Abu Bakar the 2nd of the Mali Kingdom.
Maghan the 1st was an emperor of the Mali Kingdom following his father’s demise in 1337. Maghan inherited the Kingdom at the height of its glory and success. He ruled for less than 5 years before Suleyman, his uncle, succeeded him in 1341.
Accession to the Throne
According to Ibn-Khaldun’s history of the Malian rulers, the grandfather of Mansa Musa was Abu-Bakr Keita. Abu-Bakr didn’t ascend to power and his son, Faga Laye, had no importance in the history of Mali. Mansa Musa came to power via the act of selecting an assistant when a ruler goes on his journey to Mecca or other endeavors and later naming the assistant as heir. In this case, Abu-Bakr Keita, the king before Musa, went on a journey to explore the Atlantic Ocean and never came back. Therefore, people ushered in Mansa Musa to fill his space.
Pilgrimage to Mecca and Islam
Mansa was a Muslim and his journey to Mecca made him popular across the northern region of Africa and the Middle East. Mansa Musa embarked on his pilgrimage between 1324 and 1325. His march included over 55000 men wearing brocade and Persian silk involving over 10000 slaves who each carried about 2 kg of gold.
The ruler provided all the needs for the march, feeding every man and animal. The animals included more than 65 camels that each carried about 140 kg of gold dust. As Musa was on his journey, he gave gold to the poor he met on his way. Musa visited Al-Nasir, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, in 1324.
Mansa Musa’s Later Reign
During Musa’s return from Mecca, he heard the news that his men had re-sized Gao and one of his generals led the attempt. The city of Gao was a vital trading center. Construction in Mali was part of his priorities during his later reign. He raised mosques and madrasas in the city of Gao and Timbuktu. Sankore Madrasah came into existence during his reign. In the city of Niani, Mansa Musa established the Hall of Audience.
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