How to Take Over the World

Mansa Musa

4 snips
Jul 28, 2020
Explore the extraordinary life of Mansa Musa, potentially the richest man ever. Discover how he turned wealth into cultural flourishing, especially in Timbuktu, which became a beacon of education. Unravel the mystery surrounding his predecessor and the strategic importance of the Mali Empire's trade routes. Learn about Musa’s legendary pilgrimage to Mecca and how his leadership reshaped the Islamic world. This tale blends history with the pursuit of knowledge, revealing what truly mattered to Musa beyond gold.
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ANECDOTE

Abu Bakr's Voyage

  • Mansa Musa's predecessor, Abu Bakr, was obsessed with reaching the end of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • He sailed off with a fleet of ships, never to return, leaving Musa to rule.
INSIGHT

Did Abu Bakr Reach America?

  • While some believe Abu Bakr reached the Americas, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
  • The lack of African artifacts in the New World predating Columbus suggests otherwise.
ANECDOTE

The Extravagant Hajj

  • Mansa Musa's Hajj to Mecca was a spectacular display of wealth, with 60,000 people and hundreds of camels laden with gold.
  • He distributed gold generously, causing economic disruption but also creating an aura of mystique.
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