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Mansa Musa was the leader of Mali a West African empire which became the largest and richest empire in Africa under Mansa Musa.

Mansa means emperor so Mansa Musa means Emperor Musa.

He is believed to be the grandson of Sundiata, the founder of the dynasty. He captured the neighbouring kingdom of Songhai and elevated the city of Timbuktu to be an important trading center in North Africa.

He is famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca, in 1325 he set out with 60,000 porters; 80 camels carrying 140 kg of gold each; and 6000 slaves clad in Persian silk. It is said that his lavish spending in the bazaars of Cairo flooded the market with so much gold that it depressed its value for 12 years. It was this flamboyant journey which awakened the world to the splendor and riches of Mali. 

References

https://junior.scholastic.com/issues/2018-19/091718/the-bling-king.html?fbclid=IwAR1ZQpT8cR8wZhm54bwjiVr5PR2VOBhL3A1GG_Ga5M3CITeAzKQlOZAIgJQ#1000L

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Musa-I-of-Mali

https://www.britannica.com/place/Timbuktu-Mali

https://healthresearchfunding.org/10-major-accomplishments-of-mansa-musa/

http://www.africanecho.co.uk/africanechonews4-mar24.html

https://www.longbranch.k12.nj.us/cms/lib/NJ01001766/Centricity/Domain/635/Trade-Africa.pdf

https://prezi.com/_vdlrxlsgwiz/mansa-musas-pilgrimage-to-mecca/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzBCl9kcdqc