Who Was Mansa Musa?

• Mansa Musa was more than just a king; he was a legend. Imagine a king so rich that his wealth is beyond what anyone could count! That was Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century. Mali was a kingdom in Africa, a continent full of mysteries and wonders.
• Musa inherited the throne and became the “Mansa,” which means “king of kings.” He was a wise ruler who cared deeply about his people and his kingdom.

The Mali Empire Under Mansa Musa

• Picture a map of Africa. Now, imagine an empire so large that it covers modern-day countries like Mali, Senegal, and Gambia, and parts of Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad. That was the vast Mali Empire under Mansa Musa!
• The Mali Empire was rich in resources, especially gold. In fact, it was the largest producer of gold in the world at that time. Gold was like the money we use today, and having lots of it made Mali an important and powerful kingdom.

The Richest Man in History

• Stories about Mansa Musa’s wealth are astonishing. It’s said that he was the richest person ever! His wealth came from the abundant gold mines in his empire.
• During his reign, Mansa Musa made sure that Mali was a prosperous and stable kingdom. He used his wealth to build mosques (places of worship), support artists and writers, and improve the lives of his people.