Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa , died 1337, ruler of the Mali empire (1312-37). A Muslim, he brought the Mali empire to its greatest height. During his reign Timbuktu became a center of Muslim culture and scholarship. His pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-25 brought Mali fame throughout the world; the emperor traveled with an immense entourage, preceded by 500 slaves carrying staffs of gold. His gifts of gold in Cairo were so lavish that the metal was devalued in Egypt.

Mansa Musa (ruled 1307–37) The most celebrated of the rulers (kankans) of MALI, chiefly because of his spectacular pilgrimage to MECCA in 1324. He caused a sensation in Cairo with his 500 slaves and 80–100 camels carrying gold. In his absence one of his generals acquired Gao, the capital of the neighbouring SONGHAY state for him. He returned from Mecca with the Andalusian poet-architect Es-Saheli, who built the palace and Great Mosque of Timbuktu. He greatly expanded the commerce and prosperity of Mali, and gave encouragement to Islamic learning and culture.