Musa went on hajj to Mecca in 1324, traveling with an enormous entourage and a vast supply of gold. Songhai forces under the command of Askia Muhammad I defeated the Mali general Fati Quali Keita in 1502 and seized the province of Diafunu. [17] Whether Mali originated as the name of a town or region, the name was subsequently applied to the entire empire ruled from Mali. The Songhai kingdom measured several hundreds of miles across, so that the conquest meant the acquisition of a vast territory. The ton-tigi belonged to an elite force of cavalry commanders called the farari ("brave men"). The architectural crafts in Granada had reached their zenith by the fourteenth century, and its extremely unlikely that a cultured and wealthy poet would have had anything more than a dilettante's knowledge of the intricacies of contemporary architectural practice. [39] Her jamu (clan name) Konte is shared with both Sunjata's mother Sogolon Konte and his arch-enemy Sumanguru Konte. Musa Keita I (c. 1280 - c. 1337), or Mansa Musa, was the ninth Mansa of the Mali Empire, one of the most powerful West African states. The 1375 Catalan Atlas portrayed a "city of Melly" (Catalan: ciutat de Melly) in West Africa. Atlantic voyage of the predecessor of Mansa Musa - Wikipedia Its first meeting, at the famous Kouroukan Fouga (Division of the World), had 29 clan delegates presided over by a belen-tigui (master of ceremony). The new Songhai Empire conquered Mema,[93] one of Mali's oldest possessions, in 1465. King Mansa Musa is famous for his Hajj journey, during which he stopped off in Egypt and gave out so much gold that the Egyptian economy was ruined for years to come. In the interregnum following Sunjata's death, the jomba or court slaves may have held power. He had first-hand information from several sources, and from a second-hand source, he learned of the visit of Mansa Musa. He was an extremely successful military leader jeli), also known as griots, includes relatively little information about Musa compared to some other parts of the history of Mali. Yet native sources seem to pay him little attention. The last son of Maghan Keita I, Tenin Maghan Keita (also known as Kita Tenin Maghan Keita for the province he once governed) was crowned Mansa Maghan Keita II in 1387. Last modified October 17, 2020. [45] He would have spent much time fostering the growth of the religion within his empire. Musa conquered more than 20 major cities in his lifetime. [70] Two noble brothers from Niani, of unknown lineage, went to Dioma with an army and drove out the Fula Wassoulounk. The emperor himself rode on horseback and was directly preceded by 500 enslaved persons, each carrying a gold-adorned staff. [8] Mansa, 'ruler'[9] or 'king'[10] in Mand, was the title of the ruler of the Mali Empire. [86] Qu was succeeded by his son Muhammad, who launched two voyages to explore the Atlantic Ocean. The dates of Musa's reign are uncertain. Mansa Musa Keita was succeeded by his son, Maghan Keita I, in 1337. While the accounts are of limited length, they provide a fairly good picture of the empire at its height. The fame of Mansa Musa and his phenomenal wealth spread as he traveled on his hajjto Mecca. The voyage is often incorrectly attributed to a Mansa Abu Bakr II, but no such mansa ever reigned. 6. Barring any other difficulties, the dyamani-tigui would run the province by himself collecting taxes and procuring armies from the tribes under his command. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. During most of his journey, Ibn Battuta travelled with a retinue that included servants, most of whom carried goods for trade. Masuta performs many of the same attacks as his original incarnation (though he yells a quote prior to using his abilities), but does not summon thrashing waters or create . Mansa Musa: The Financial Recklessness of the Richest Man in History Mande bards in the region speak of the Dakajalan site, containing Sundiata's grave, as sacrosanct. Ms I is widely considered the wealthiest man in history. He brought a large entourage with him which impressed people everywhere they went. Facts About Mansa Musa - The Richest Human Being Who Ever Lived By the time they reached Suez, many of the Malian pilgrims had died of cold, starvation, or bandit raids, and they had lost many of their supplies. [34][35] Nonetheless, the possibility of such a voyage has been taken seriously by several historians. Intro animation: Syawish Rehman. Embedded by Arienne King, published on 17 October 2020. In 1324, while staying in Cairo during his hajj, Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire, told an Egyptian official whom he had befriended that he had come to rule when his predecessor led a fleet in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean and never returned. Mansa Musa returned from Mecca with several Islamic scholars, including direct descendants of the prophet Muhammad and an Andalusian poet and architect by the name of Abu Es Haq es Saheli, who is . During the 17th century, the Mali Empire faced incursions from the Bamana Empire. Kankoro-sigui Mari Djata, who had no relation to the Keita clan, essentially ran the empire in Musa Keita II's stead. Grades 5 - 8 Subjects Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations, World History Image Timbuktu, Henrich Barth Painting The fame of Mansa Musa and his phenomenal wealth spread as he traveled on his hajj to Mecca. [12][h] Ibn Battuta, who visited Mali during the reign of Musa's brother Sulayman, said that Musa's grandfather was named Sariq Jata. Well after his death, Mansa Musa remained engrained in the imagination of the world as a symbol of fabulous wealth. The other characteristic of this era is the gradual loss of its northern and eastern possessions to the rising Songhai Empire and the movement of the Mali's economic focus from the trans-Saharan trade routes to the burgeoning commerce along the coast. [20] Additional information comes from two 17th-century manuscripts written in Timbuktu, the Tarikh Ibn al-Mukhtar[c] and the Tarikh al-Sudan. An army was required to guard the borders to protect its flourishing trade. [90] CelebrityNetWorth has been criticized for the unreliability of its estimates. Musa's name Kanku Musa means "Musa son of Kanku", but the genealogy may not be literal. One of these was Dioma, an area south of Niani populated by Fula Wassoulounk. It was this pilgrimage that awakened the world to the stupendous wealth of Mali. Mansa Ms left a realm notable for its extent and richeshe built the Great Mosque at Timbuktubut he is best remembered in the Middle East and Europe for the splendour of his pilgrimage to Mecca (1324). As soon as Sassouma's son Dankaran Touman took the throne, he and his mother forced the increasingly popular Sundjata into exile along with his mother and two sisters. [83] He is criticized for being unfaithful to tradition, and some of the jeliw regard Musa as having wasted Mali's wealth. This style is characterised by the use of mudbricks and an adobe plaster, with large wooden-log support beams that jut out from the wall face for large buildings such as mosques or palaces. Ibn Khaldun in Levtzion and Hopkins, eds. In 1330, the kingdom of Mossi invaded and conquered the city of Timbuktu. Ms I of Mali, Ms also spelled Musa or Mousa, also called Kankan Ms or Mansa Musa, (died 1332/37? [142][143] Numerous sources attest that the inland waterways of West Africa saw extensive use of war canoes and vessels used for war transport where permitted by the environment. [93] It is during his reign that Fula raids on Takrur began. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita (c. 1214 - c. 1255) and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa (Musa Keita). The Venetian explorer Alvise Cadamosto and Portuguese traders confirmed that the peoples of the Gambia were still subject to the mansa of Mali. Accounts of how many people and how much gold he spent vary. He also states that Djata or "Jatah" means "lion". Three bowmen supporting one spearman was the ratio in Kaabu and the Gambia by the mid-16th century. [60] The anglicised version of this name, Sunjata, is also popular. [120], The old core of the empire was divided into three spheres of influence. The kingdom of Mali was relatively unknown outside of West Africa until this event. Mali Empire - Wikipedia [33] Some modern historians have cast doubt on Musa's version of events, suggesting he may have deposed his predecessor and devised the story about the voyage to explain how he took power. Islamic studies flourished thereafter. [92] He was one of the first truly devout Muslims to lead the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa turned the kingdom of Mali into a sophisticated center of learning in the Islamic world.Mansa Musa came to power in 1312 C.E., after the previous king, Abu Bakr II, disappeared at sea. Musa I (known more commonly as Mansa Musa) was the tenth Mansa (a Mandinka word for "emperor") of the Mali Empire. This is one of the main factors to the fall of the kingdom. [93] Mansa Souleyman's generals successfully fought off the military incursions, and the senior wife Kassi behind the plot was imprisoned. Editing: Jack Rackam. "[65], It is recorded that Mansa Musa traveled through the cities of Timbuktu and Gao on his way to Mecca, and made them a part of his empire when he returned around 1325. The Mali Empire covered a larger area for a longer period of time than any other West African state before or since. Traveling from his capital of Niani on the upper Niger River to Walata (Oualta, Mauritania) and on to Tuat (now in Algeria) before making his way to Cairo, Mansa Ms was accompanied by an impressive caravan consisting of 60,000 men including a personal retinue of 12,000 enslaved persons, all clad in brocade and Persian silk. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Mansa Mari Djata Keita II became seriously ill in 1372,[93] and power moved into the hands of his ministers until his death in 1374. After the loyalty or at least the capitulation of an area was assured, it was allowed to select its own dyamani-tigui. Captivation History summarizes Mansa Musa's story from his ancestors to his descendants as they reigned over the Mali Empire beginning in the 1300s. The organization and smooth administration of a purely African empire, the founding of the University of Sankore, the expansion of trade in Timbuktu, the architectural innovations in Gao, Timbuktu, and Niani and, indeed, throughout the whole of Mali and in the subsequent Songhai empire are all testimony to Mansa Mss superior administrative gifts. Mali Emperors Family Tree | Mansa Musa - The Richest Man in World In this lesson, students read one recent blog post about Musa I of Mali's wealth, followed by two historical documents from the fourteenth-century, to answer the question: Was Mansa Musa the richest person ever? The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa By Patricia McKissack, Fredrick McKissack Page 60, "The richest person who ever lived had unimaginable wealth. The Lightning Flash | Mansa Musa However, territories that were crucial to trade or subject to revolt would receive a farba. [13][12] In the Manding languages, the modern descendants of the language spoken at the core of the Mali Empire, Manden or Manding is the name of the region corresponding to the heartland of the Mali Empire. Mansa Musa was the great nephew of Sundiata Keita, who was founder . [citation needed] The northern region on the other hand had no shortage of salt. A dknsi performed the same function except with slave troops called sofa ("guardian of the horse") and under the command of a farimba ("great brave man"). The people of the south needed salt for their diet, but it was extremely rare. When he did finally bow, he said he was doing so for God alone. Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) - National Geographic Society Mansa Musa (Musa I of Mali) was the king of the ancient empire of Mali in West Africa. With trade being disrupted by wars, there was no way for the economy to continue to prosper. Stride, G. T., & C. Ifeka: "Peoples and Empires of West Africa: West Africa in History 10001800". The Mandinka went on to form the powerful and rich Mali Empire, which produced the richest Black man who ever lived, King Mansa Musa. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/video/2147/mansa-musa-family-tree--empire-of-mali/. Candice Goucher, Charles LeGuin, and Linda Walton. It contained three immense gold mines within its borders unlike the Ghana Empire, which was only a transit point for gold. Musa expanded the borders of the Mali Empire, in particular incorporating the cities of Gao and Timbuktu into its territory. Every year merchants entered Mali via Oualata with camel loads of salt to sell in Niani. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Sankor University was capable of housing 25,000 students and had one of the largest libraries in the world with roughly 1,000,000 manuscripts.[100][101]. While in Mecca, conflict broke out between a group of Malian pilgrims and a group of Turkic pilgrims in the Masjid al-Haram. [110] Meanwhile, Songhai seized the salt mines of Taghazza in 1493. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Web. Elephant ivory was another major source of wealth.When Mansa Musa went on a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca in 1324 C.E., his journey through Egypt caused quite a stir. [5] In c. 1285 Sakoura, a former royal court slave, became emperor and was one of Mali's most powerful rulers, greatly expanding the empire's territory. so the name Kanku Musa means "Musa, son of Kanku", although it is unclear if the genealogy implied is literal. He has sometimes been called the wealthiest person in history. [93] Musa may have brought as much as 18 tons of gold on his hajj,[94] equal in value to over US$957million in 2022. The Cairo that Mansa Ms visited was ruled by one of the greatest of the Mamlk sultans, Al-Malik al-Nir. Therefore, Arabic visitors may have assigned the "capital" label merely to whatever major city the mansa was based out of at the time of their visit. Cairo and Mecca received this royal personage, whose glittering procession, in the superlatives employed by Arab chroniclers, almost put Africas sun to shame. This can be interpreted as either "Musa son of Abu Bakr" or "Musa descendant of Abu Bakr." He was the son of Niani's faama, Nare Fa (also known as Maghan Kon Fatta meaning the handsome prince). Mansa Musa eventually gained the throne owing to a strange sequence of events that turned in his favor. The Joma area, governed from Siguiri, controlled the central region, which encompassed Niani. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. (2020, October 17). 4. The growing trade in Mali's western provinces with Portugal witnessed the exchange of envoys between the two nations. [6] The early history of the Mali Empire (before the 13th century) is unclear, as there are conflicting and imprecise accounts by both Arab chroniclers and oral traditionalists. [137], Copper was also a valued commodity in imperial Mali. Trade was Mali's form of income, and wealth. The post of a farba was very prestigious, and his descendants could inherit it with the mansa's approval. Musa embarked on a large building program, raising mosques and madrasas in Timbuktu and Gao. In their own country they use only slave women and men for transport, but for long journeys such as pilgrimages they have mounts. On the return from Takedda to Morocco, his caravan transported 600 female servants, suggesting that indentured servitude was a substantial part of the commercial activity of the empire.[134]. The family tree of Mansa Musa. [19], Much of what is known about Musa comes from Arabic sources written after his hajj, especially the writings of Al-Umari and Ibn Khaldun. [56] Musa and his entourage lingered in Mecca after the last day of the hajj. Please check the original source(s) for copyright information. [130] Farbas were picked by the mansa from the conquering farin or family members. It had a well-organised army with an elite corps of horsemen and many foot soldiers in each battalion. In Niani, Musa built the Hall of Audience, a building communicating by an interior door to the royal palace. It was "an admirable Monument", surmounted by a dome and adorned with arabesques of striking colours. Mansa Musa Family Tree | Family tree, Tree, Kankan - Pinterest Historians who lived during the height and decline of the Mali Empire consistently record its standing army peaking at 100,000, with 10,000 of that number being made up of cavalry. [86], The name "Musa" has become virtually synonymous with pilgrimage in Mand tradition, such that other figures who are remembered as going on a pilgrimage, such as Fakoli, are also called Musa. [16] However, al-Umari gives Mali as the name of the capital province and Ibn Khaldun refers to Mali as a people, with each giving different names for the capital city itself. His administration and military work allowed the empire to survive through the 16th century, solidifying him, his empire, and his family into the imaginations of storytellers around the world. [82], Musa is less renowned in Mand oral tradition as performed by the jeliw. These conflicts also interrupted trade. Mali's domain also extended into the desert. UsefulCharts, . Timbuktu became a major Islamic university center during the 14th century due to Mansa Musas developments. Bowmen formed a large portion of the field army as well as the garrison. According to Ibn Battuta who visited Mali in the mid-14th century, one camel load of salt sold at Walata for 810 mithqals of gold, but in Mali proper it realised 2030 ducats and sometimes even 40. He belonged to the Keita Dynasty and came to power after Abu-Bakra-Keita II left on an expedition to explore the Atlantic Ocean, leaving Musa as his deputy and never returned. Konkodougou Kamissa Keita, named for the province he once governed,[70] was crowned as Mansa Mari Djata Keita II in 1360. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Gold dust had been weighed and bagged for use at least since the time of the Ghana Empire. [75] This victory resulted in the fall of the Kaniaga kingdom and the rise of the Mali Empire. Today, his net worth is estimated to have been $400 billion. "Mansa Musa Family Tree | Empire of Mali." [100], Arabic writers, such as Ibn Battuta and Abdallah ibn Asad al-Yafii, praised Musa's generosity, virtue, and intelligence. Not only do we pay for our servers, but also for related services such as our content delivery network, Google Workspace, email, and much more. Mahmud Keita, possibly a grandchild or great-grandchild of Mansa Gao Keita, was crowned Mansa Maghan Keita III in 1390. [99] The gold Musa brought on his pilgrimage probably represented years of accumulated tribute that Musa would have spent much of his early reign gathering. Mansa Fadima Musa Keita, or Mansa Musa Keita II, began the process of reversing his brother's excesses. [52][55], Musa's generosity continued as he traveled onwards to Mecca, and he gave gifts to fellow pilgrims and the people of Medina and Mecca. According to the records of Ibn Battuta,[138][139] copper which traded in bars was mined from Takedda in the north and traded in the south for gold. How Europe Planned to Steal from African King Mansa Musa - YouTube Imperial Malian architecture was characterised by Sudano-Sahelian architecture with a Malian substyle, which is exemplified by the Great Mosque of Djenne. Mansa Musa brought the architect back to Mali to beautify some of the cities. Also, Sundiata divided the lands amongst the people assuring everyone had a place in the empire and fixed exchange rates for common products[127]. We care about our planet! This trend would continue into colonial times against Tukulor enemies from the west.[121]. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. According to Burkinab writer Joseph Ki-Zerbo, the farther a person travelled from Niani, the more decentralised the mansa's power became. He built mosques and large public buildings in cities like Gao and, most famously, Timbuktu. [76] The latter possibility is corroborated by Ibn Khaldun calling Suleyman Musa's son in that passage, suggesting he may have confused Musa's brother Suleyman with Musa's son Maghan. [12] However, these hypotheses have been rejected by locals and are inconsistent with the apparent cognate status of Mali and Mand.[19]. Mansa Ms, whose empire was one of the largest in the world at that time, is reported to have observed that it would take a year to travel from one end of his empire to the other. Another testimony from Ibn Khaldun describes the grand pilgrimage of Mansa Musa consisting of 12,000 slaves: "He made a pilgrimage in 724/1324 []. One of the greatest caravans to ever cross the Sahara was led by Mansa Musa, the legendary ruler of the vast West African empire of Mali. Musa and his entourage gave and spent freely while in Cairo. The second account is that of the traveller Ibn Battuta, who visited Mali in 1352. [81] He was replaced by Abu Bakr, a son of Sunjata's daughter. 05 Mar 2023. [70] Gbr Keita was crowned Mansa Ouali Keita II and ruled during the period of Mali's contact with Portugal. Bukar professed his support, but believing Mahmud's situation to be hopeless, secretly went over to the Moroccans. After the victory, King Soumaoro disappeared, and the Mandinka stormed the last of the Sosso cities. The Mansa led the second expedition himself, and appointed Musa as his deputy to rule the empire until he returned. His reign is associated with numerous construction projects, including part of Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu. Malink, also known as Mande, Mali, or Melle, was founded around 1200 CE, and under Mansa Musa's reign . Mansa Musa: A Captivating Guide to the Emperor of the Islamic Mali [48], Parallel to this debate, many scholars have argued that the Mali Empire may not have had a permanent "capital" in the sense that the word is used today, and historically was used in the Mediterranean world. The exact date of Musa's accession is debated. The mansa could also replace a farba if he got out of control, as in the case of Diafunu. Musa I of Mali | Biography, Wealth, Slaves, Pilgrimage, & Facts He left Kanku Musa, a grandson of Sunjata's brother Mande Bori, in charge during his absence. Musa provided all necessities for the procession, feeding the entire company of men and animals. [51] Musa made a major point of showing off his nation's wealth. Mali flourished especially when Timbuktu came under Mansa Musa's control. His descendants migrated to the land of Mali and established the Mandinka clan of Keita. Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations, World History. [70] The mansa lost control of Jalo during this period. By 1180 it had even subjugated Wagadou forcing the Sonink to pay tribute. Kankan Musa, better known as Mansa Musa probably took power in approximately 1312, although an earlier date is possible. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. During his reign, the Mossi emperor Bonga of Yatenga raided into Mali and plundered Macina. Emperors and Empresses from Around the (Non-Roman) World Quiz, Armand-Jean du Plessis, cardinal et duc de Richelieu, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Musa-I-of-Mali, World History Encyclopedia - Mansa Musa I, Musa - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It is known from the Tarikh al-Sudan that Mali was still a sizeable state in the 15th century. Your email address will not be published. The Mali Empire (Manding: Mand[3] or Manden; Arabic: , romanized:Ml) was an empire in West Africa from c. 1226 to 1670. While Musa's palace has since vanished, the university and mosque still stand in Timbuktu today. [57], Modern oral traditions also related that the Mandinka kingdoms of Mali or Manden had already existed several centuries before Sundiata's unification as a small state just to the south of the Sonink empire of Wagadou, better known as the Ghana Empire. Hunters from the Ghana Empire (or Wagadou), particularly mythical ancestors Kontron and Sanin, founded Manding and the Malink and Bambaras hunter brotherhood. In approximately 1140 the Sosso kingdom of Kaniaga, a former vassal of Wagadou, began conquering the lands of its old rulers. [43] Djibril Tamsir Niane, a Guinean historian, has been a forceful advocate of this position in recent decades. Answer (1 of 3): The same thing that happened to anybody else's wealth in history: it was spent, looted, donated, or otherwise distributed. Musa stayed in the Qarafa district of Cairo, and befriended its governor, Ibn Amir Hajib, who learned much about Mali from him. UsefulCharts, . However, many believe Mansa Musa's wealth outdoes that of all modern billionaires. He brought architects from Andalusia, a region in Spain, and Cairo to build his grand palace in Timbuktu and the great Djinguereber Mosque that still stands today. Medieval Map Points to World's Richest Man, Maybe Ever UsefulCharts, . His riches came from mining significant salt and gold deposits in the Mali kingdom. The date of Mansa Musa's death is not certain. Still, throne names do not usually indicate blood relations. [43] Perhaps because of this, Musa's early reign was spent in continuous military conflict with neighboring non-Muslim societies. [93] In 1514, the Denianke dynasty was established in Tekrour. The farimba operated from a garrison with an almost entirely slave force, while a farima functioned on field with virtually all freemen. All rights reserved. In the 1450s, Portugal began sending raiding parties along the Gambian coast. Free warriors from the north (Mandekalu or otherwise) were usually equipped with large reed or animal hide shields and a stabbing spear that was called a tamba. [40] Ibn Battuta and Leo Africanus both call the capital "Mali. [93] Only at the state or province level was there any palpable interference from the central authority in Niani. [22] Oral tradition, as performed by the jeliw (sg. Rulers of West African states had made pilgrimages to Mecca before Mansa Ms, but the effect of his flamboyant journey was to advertise both Mali and Mansa Ms well beyond the African continent and to stimulate a desire among the Muslim kingdoms of North Africa, and among many of European nations as well, to reach the source of this incredible wealth. The next great unit of exchange in the Mali Empire was salt. A manuscript page from Timbuktu showing a table of astronomical information. ), mansa (emperor) of the West African empire of Mali from 1307 (or 1312). Masuta the Descended is a miniboss in The Shadow Reef. Ms Is pilgrimage caravan to Mecca in 1324 comprised some 60,000 people and an immeasurable amount of gold. During his reign, Mali was one of the richest kingdoms of Africa, and Mansa Musa was among the richest individuals in the world. He made his wealth and that of Mali known through a long and extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, the 17th year of his reign as emperor of Mali.