The Untold Story of Mansa Musa - the Richest Man Ever (Black Culture)

Greetings, fellow curious minds! Today, we’re going to delve into the fascinating life of Mansa Musa, Mansa Musa was the wealthiest person in history, and we’re going to find out how he got there. Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire, located in what is now West Africa. But he wasn’t just any ruler. He was the kind of guy who had so much gold that he made Scrooge McDuck look like a penny-pincher. And we’re not talking about a few gold coins here and there. We’re talking about so much gold that he caused inflation wherever he went. That’s right, folks. Mansa Musa was the OG influencer. He could walk into a market and throw around so much cash that the price of goods would skyrocket for months afterward. But Mansa Musa wasn’t just about showing off his bling. He was also a devout Muslim and made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. And when I say pilgrimage, I mean the kind of pilgrimage that puts a European backpacking trip to shame. He travelled with a caravan of thousands of people, including soldiers, scholars, and slaves. And he didn’t just travel light. He brought so much gold with him that he had to hire a team of camels just to carry it all. Can you imagine being that rich? “Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t come to your party tonight. I have to go hire some camels to carry my gold.“ But Mansa Musa wasn’t all about showing off his wealth. He was also a patron of Islam and built numerous mosques and madrasas, or Islamic schools. He was a true leader, both in his empire and in the wider Islamic world. So, get ready to take a journey back in time to the days of camels, gold, and Islamic scholarship. Mansa Musa’s story is one for the books, and we’re about to uncover all the juicy details. Mansa Musa was born into a wealthy family in the year 1280. His father was the ruler of the Mali Empire, which at the time was one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires in West Africa. Mansa Musa was not the firstborn son, but his intelligence and charm quickly made him a favourite of his father and the people of the empire. As a child, Mansa Musa was educated in the ways of Islam and was trained in subjects such as law, history, and administration. He was a quick learner and showed a great deal of promise from an early age. However, his path to the throne was not without its challenges. When Mansa Musa’s father died in 1312, the empire was in a state of turmoil. There were several contenders for the throne, and it was not immediately clear who would succeed the previous ruler. Mansa Musa’s older brother was initially chosen to be the next ruler, but he proved to be an ineffective leader and was eventually overthrown by Mansa Musa himself. Now, let’s be real. Overthrowing your own brother to become ruler of an empire is not exactly the most honourable thing to do. But in Mansa Musa’s defence, he did it with style. He gathered a group of loyal followers and staged a successful coup, declaring himself the new ruler of the Mali Empire. It’s like something out of Game of Thrones, only with less incest and more gold. As soon as he took the throne, Mansa Musa set about consolidating his power and expanding the empire’s territory. He was a savvy leader and quickly realized that the key to success was controlling the empire’s vast resources, particularly its gold mines. He also developed a strong military and established trade relationships with neighbouring kingdoms. Welcome to Black Journals, a channel dedicated to exploring and sharing the rich history, literature, and culture of the African American community. Our channel takes a deep dive into the pages of black journals and uncovers the hidden stories and untold truths of the black experience. From the harrowing legacy of the Atlantic slave trade to the powerful impact of black literature and the black narrative, we shine a light on the unwritten history and the stories that have been overlooked or suppressed. We celebrate the black legacy and the resilience of the African diaspora, as well as the activism and political history of African Americans in their ongoing fight for justice and equality. Our channel also explores the beauty and creativity of black art, literature, and culture, offering a platform for African American voices and perspectives to be heard and appreciated. Come along with us as we turn the pages of black journals and uncover the pages of Black Pages of History. #BlackLiterature #BlackHistory #BlackCulture