Mansa Musa Mansa Musa (1312 – 1337)(1312 – 1337)

Mansa Musa’s Mansa Musa’s Importance in African Importance in African HistoryHistory

Doubled the size of the Mali KingdomDoubled the size of the Mali Kingdom Established a very effective way to Established a very effective way to

governgovern– a strong central government and a strong central government and

provinces overseen by appointed provinces overseen by appointed governors governors

Timbuktu’s Sankore Mosque grew to Timbuktu’s Sankore Mosque grew to have about 20,000 students.have about 20,000 students.

Mansa Musa’s Mansa Musa’s Strong Central Strong Central GovernmentGovernment

Mansa Musa was one of the Mansa Musa was one of the greatest leaders in the history of greatest leaders in the history of Africa.Africa.

His system of government was so His system of government was so successful that writer Ibn Batuta, successful that writer Ibn Batuta, found “complete and general found “complete and general safety in the land of Mali even 12 safety in the land of Mali even 12 years after Musa’s death.”years after Musa’s death.”

Musa’s Pilgrimage to Musa’s Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca)Makkah (Mecca)

Thousands of servants and Thousands of servants and soldiers went with him.soldiers went with him.

They took along hundreds of They took along hundreds of camels carrying gold.camels carrying gold.

On the way to and from Makkah, On the way to and from Makkah, they spent so much gold that they they spent so much gold that they caused the value of gold to fall in caused the value of gold to fall in Africa, Arabia, and all around the Africa, Arabia, and all around the Mediterranean Ocean.Mediterranean Ocean.

Mali’s declineMali’s decline Mansa Musa was the last powerful Mansa Musa was the last powerful

ruler of Mali.ruler of Mali. In 1359 (22 years after Musa’s In 1359 (22 years after Musa’s

death) the kingdom was divided by death) the kingdom was divided by civil warcivil war

The nearby Kingdom of Songhai The nearby Kingdom of Songhai was growing more powerful.was growing more powerful.

In 1464, the Songhai leader Sunni In 1464, the Songhai leader Sunni Ali captured Timbuktu.Ali captured Timbuktu.