Mansa Musa
c. 1280 – c. 1337
Mansa Musa (c. 1280 - c. 1337) was the ninth mansa (emperor) of the Mali Empire, often described as one of the wealthiest individuals in history. His famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325, during which he distributed enormous quantities of gold, made Mali renowned across the Islamic world and Europe. He expanded the empire and promoted Islamic scholarship and architecture, particularly in Timbuktu.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Mansa Musa.
- Giotto (1267–1337) Overlapped 57 years →
- William of Ockham (1287–1347) Overlapped 50 years →
- Huang Daopo (1245–1330) Overlapped 50 years →
- Robert the Bruce (1274–1329) Overlapped 49 years →
- Gajah Mada (1290–1364) Overlapped 47 years →
- Amir Khusrau (1253–1325) Overlapped 45 years →
Life events
Musa was born into the Keita dynasty of the Mali Empire, a grandson or grandnephew of the lineage of the empire's founder Sunjata.
Musa acceded to the throne of Mali, reportedly after being appointed deputy by Mansa Muhammad, who departed on an Atlantic expedition and never returned.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMansa Musa set out on the hajj with an enormous caravan carrying vast quantities of gold, accompanied by thousands of attendants.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgDuring his stay in Cairo en route to Mecca, Musa's lavish gifts and spending of gold were said to have depressed the metal's value in Egypt for years.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAround the time of Musa's return from the hajj, the important Songhai city of Gao was incorporated into the Mali Empire.
Musa returned from the pilgrimage accompanied by Muslim scholars and the architect-poet Abu Ishaq al-Sahili, fostering Islamic learning in the empire.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMusa is credited with commissioning the Djinguereber Mosque, which became a lasting center of Islamic worship and scholarship in Timbuktu.
Mansa Musa died around 1337, and his son Maghan I succeeded him as ruler of the Mali Empire.