(Mari Jalak) alias Mansa Musa I remains the richest person to ever live. He was a Malian Emperor in the 14th century coming to power after his predecessor, Abu-Bakr II, set out on a sea voyage to discover the Americas years before Christopher Columbus. As Elon Musk recently crossed the 200bn mark, he has just achieved half of what Mansa Musa possessed.
An illustration of Mansa Musa I |
Mansa was a name for King or Emperor.
Forbes reported that his net wealth was approximately $400bn. He was so rich in gold that he gave some of it away on his pilgrimages to Mecca. During his reign, Mali was the world's leading producer of gold. This man was so rich and powerful that he could influence the international price of gold during his time.
The richest man, that the world has ever seen, was Mansa Musa. [He] makes a Hajj to Mecca, arrives in Cairo and literally hands out gold bars to the waiters. He wrecks the money market for ten years or more… that story of his arrival eventually finds its way to Europe… the first European map, the Catalan map of 1376, has a portrait of [him] with a caption that says, ‘this is the richest man that the world has ever known.’”
Martin Meredith, British Historian of Africa.
"Imagine as much gold as you think a human being could possess and double it, that’s what all the accounts are trying to communicate."
Rudolph Ware, associate history professor, University of Michigan.
Before the decline, his reign was associated with so much prosperity. According to Chancellor Williams, his strategic choice of embracing Islam favoured him much. It made him prosper in trade since Muslim tribes had had control of most trade routes in West Africa.
I can conclude that Mansa Musa is no different African, he lived a flaunty life just like most of the celebrated Africans in diaspora and the continent. Haven't you seen how Burna Boy or Jay-z act, Mansa Musa may have been just like them.
One of his most famous incidents was his 1324 journey to Mecca for Hajj. He left Mali with a caravan of 60, 000 people. The caravan was composed of his court, merchants, camel drivers and 12,000 slaves who were all dressed in finest Persian silk, clad in golden brocade and were also well in rare foods.
At a stopover in Cairo, he was invited to meet the ruler, al-Malik al-Nasir. It is recorded that he refused to bow down to the ruler. As per the customs, he was expected to kiss the ground and the sultan's hands which he resisted.
Should we call him arrogant or a self-respecting Blackman? Self-respecting would be better in referring to him. It is further estimated by SmartAsset.com ( a US-based technology company) that his continued giving out of gold led to economic depreciation of about $1.4bn in the economy of the Middle East.
After conquering the city of Timbuktu, Mansa Musa transformed it into an 'African El Dorado'. He built one of the world's most elaborate mosques, the Djinguereber mosque. Timbuktu also became a centre of education where people travelled from within and without the continent to study.
500 years down the line, the empire is today recognized as a lost city of gold and a beacon for European fortune hunters.
Mansa Musa died at the age of 52 in the year 1337.
As we uncover Africa's hidden glorious past, what do you think prevents the existence of other Mansa Musas in Africa today? kindly leave your comment below.
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