Ep. 302
Mansa Musa, who ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337, oversaw a period of significant expansion, wealth, and cultural flourishing. He was a devout Muslim whose pilgrimage to Mecca brought Mali to the attention of the wider world, showcasing its immense gold reserves and facilitating trade. Musa expanded the empire, incorporating cities like Gao and Timbuktu, making them centers of Islamic learning. His reign saw advancements in architecture and the promotion of education and the arts, particularly in Timbuktu. After his death, the empire gradually declined due to internal conflicts and external pressures. Despite its eventual disintegration, Mansa Musa’s legacy as a powerful and influential ruler endures, challenging Eurocentric narratives and highlighting the rich history of African civilizations.