The kingdom of Mali had a great start under
the wise direction of Sundiata,
the Lion King. His son, Wali, also ruled wisely. Mansa
Musa, the Lion King's grandson, continued the family tradition. Under
Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire doubled in size. But Mansa Musa accomplished
much more than simple expansion. He put Mali on the map.
To the people in the African kingdoms, the
word "mansa" means king or leader. Because the Empire of Mali
was so big, Mansa Musa could not possibly hear the complaint or concern of
each citizen or village. Under Mansa Musa, the empire was broken into
provinces, each ruled by a governor. Each province was composed of many
villages. Each village had a mayor. This allowed for controlled but swift
management of local problems, leaving Mansa Musa and his advisors free to
handle the management of the empire.
The Kingdom of Mali was rich. The army guarded the
gold mines. They also guarded the section of the Trans-Sahara
Trade Route that passed by Mali. Legend says there were
usually 90,000 warriors on foot, 10,000 warriors on camels, and few on
Arabian horses, who worked together to kept the trade route safe for
travel. Traders always stopped at Mali. They knew they would find safety,
culture, and richly rewarding trade.
Like his grandfather, the Lion King, Mansa Musa ruled
for 25 years. He continued the tradition of religion freedom in Mali. He
was a devout Muslim. Mansa Musa worshiped one god - Allah. He was the one
who actually ordered an impressive university to be built at Timbuktu. He
wanted scholars to come to Mali and they did.
The Muslim scholars who came to Mali were somewhat
started at the appearance of the people who called themselves Muslims. The
climate was very hot. Rather than being heavily veiled in black garments,
the woman were unveiled and wore cool, colorful clothing. This was not the
look to which they were accustomed. But Mansa Musa was such a good host,
and such a devout Muslim, that the scholars who came to the kingdom
brought with them not only learning but also understanding. Having never
left Mali, Mansa Musa really did not know that the appearance of his
people was anything out of the ordinary in the Muslim world.
Mansa Musa did things you would expect a very rich
king to do. When he left his palace, 300 guards and his special musicians
who played music wherever they went always accompanied him. His people
would gather along the road and chant: "Hail Mansa Musa, King of
Mali!" There was every evidence that the people were happy.
The people had every reason to be happy. They
were very bright and creative people. They worked hard. They played hard.
They were not poor. The common people were given some luxury goods. Goods
were given to the elders and distributed as they saw fit. Mansa Musa was a
great believer in spreading wealth around.
Although most village people
could not read or write, they received education and training orally. They
were free to choose their religion as well as their occupation. Most
villages followed the traditional religions of Africa. The people believed
in many gods, in witchdoctors, and in magic charms. But it was their
choice to do so. Education was encouraged and choice of religious
beliefs was a freedom. The people were happy.
Since things were going so well at home, Mansa Musa
decided now was the time to see the holy city of Mecca. Muslim law
requires that all the faithful visit Mecca at least once. With a huge
number of guards and attendants, along with camels carrying comforts,
luxury, and bagsful of gold nuggets, Mansa Musa set out across the desert
towards Mecca. Along the way, everywhere he went, he freely gave away
gold. You can imagine the excitement he generated as he traveled from one
oasis to the next.
His caravan stopped in Cairo, in Egypt. Word of his
incredible wealth spread quickly though the city. Mansa Musa was amazed at
how expensive things were. They were expensive because merchants increased
their normal prices. Mansa Musa did not care. Even though he had given
away so much gold on the trip to Cairo, he had bagsful left to spend. And
spend he did. Mansa Musa left so much gold behind him in Cairo that it was
rumored it took 12 years for prices in Egypt to get back to normal. (This
is probably an urban legend, but certainly it took some time for
things to get back to normal.)
He distributed so much gold on his way to Mecca that
he had to borrow money for his return trip home. Everyone with money was
eager to be of service to such a wealthy man. True to his nature, Mansa
Musa repaid the loans most generously.
His journey took about a year. He traveled around
3000 miles by camel. No one attempted to take over his kingdom while he
was gone. Mansa Musa was a very smart man. To reduce the likelihood of a
takeover, he had brought with him on his trip most of the powerful people
in his kingdom. He left the army in charge. They did a great job.
His people were impressed. They thought it amazing
that he was willing to make such a long trip, with so many dangers, just
to see a far away holy place. His trip had other results. Scholars poured
into Timbuktu, making it the most prestigious university in the land.
Trade became even more brisk.
Mansa Musa literally put Mali on the map - on
European maps and Moslem maps!
Mansa
Musa's Route to Mecca, 1324
Ancient
Kingdom of Mali 