The Hajj of Emperor Musa: how the richest man in the history of the world spent his money

If you ask any person about what advanced civilizations in Africa he knows, then for sure they will tell you about ancient Egypt and, possibly, about the Islamic Maghreb. Few people have heard that there were also powerful and rich states in sub-Saharan Africa, whose fame thundered throughout the continent and even beyond its borders. One of these powers was Mali-an empire that existed for a fairly long historical period from the VIII to the XV century of our era.

The Mali empire reached its greatest prosperity under a mansa (emperor) named Musa from the Keita dynasty. This monarch ruled from 1307 to 1332 and during the time he was in power, he managed to subdue the lands belonging to Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.

But first of all, Mansa Musa is famous not for his conquering campaigns and just rule, but for his fantastic wealth. Researchers who have studied historical sources have found that the state of the West African monarch was about $ 400 billion (more than 25 trillion Russian rubles).

Emperor Musa Keita gained power almost by accident. The ninth Mansa Mali Abubakar II suddenly felt a craving for geographical discoveries and, having built a fleet, left to look for new lands in the Atlantic. His fate is unknown, although some historians make a bold assumption that the ships of the African ruler could reach America.

Whatever it was, but the empire can not do without a ruler and in 1312 the throne was occupied by Musa Keita. This man was the son of the vizier and the grandson of the great Sundiata, who in 1200 united the tribes and created a powerful empire from a small state.

Sundiata Keita, who headed the blacksmith priests, established trade in two of the most valuable resources of his land — gold and salt, thereby laying a powerful economic foundation for his state. Goods from Mali were in demand not only in the Islamic world, but also among Christians. 2/3 of all the gold mined in the empire and half of the salt were spent on sale.

Musa was fully worthy of being called a descendant of Sundiata — he ruled fairly and became famous for his wisdom. The monarch patronized poets, musicians and scientists, while not forgetting about maintaining diplomatic and trade relations with other states.

Despite all the virtues of Musa, he would hardly have attracted everyone's attention if, in the 12th year of his reign, he did not decide to perform the Hajj to Mecca. The fame of the wealth of the Mali Empire and its mansa has long spread throughout the Islamic world, but it was in the form of rumors and speculation. Musa's pilgrimage convinced even those who refused to believe in an obscenely rich state on the outskirts of the Black Continent of his power and wealth.

The Ruler of Mali was accompanied by 60 to 80 thousand soldiers and servants on a long journey. Musa took 12 tons of gold on the road, which he generously distributed as alms not only to the needy people he met on the way,but also to everyone in general.

The supply of the huge detachment was thought out to the smallest detail and worked like clockwork. Even in the heart of the Sahara, the emperor ate daily dishes of fresh oceanic fish and fruits. There was no need for water either, as one of the episodes of the grand voyage says.

One day, when a multi-kilometer caravan was crossing the desert, the ruler's wife decided to take a bath in the company of her 500 maids. To do this, a pool was dug in the sands, which was filled with water from thousands of wineskins.

In order to leave a good and long memory of himself, a large mosque was built at his expense in every city where Musa stayed on Friday. Also, every day the monarch bought one slave and released him to freedom. In Arabic sources, Mansa is praised as a man of fantastic wisdom and righteousness, which, oddly enough, was not the usual Eastern flattery.

Musa's journey through the Islamic world brought people not only joy. The gold-throwing monarch introduced several states into a protracted economic crisis, significantly devaluing gold. Prices for goods jumped several times and many had to tighten their belts tighter.

The return trip was not very pleasant for the ruler of Mali. Due to the attacks of enemies who heard about the rich loot and sandstorms, Musa's expedition lost a third of its people and camels. Despite this, the emperor returned home safely and brought with him a valuable loot. With the emperor came architects, theologians and poets who made a serious contribution to the culture of the country.

Having spent the lion's share of his gold reserve, Mansa did not remain in the pocket. The monarch, distributing treasures right and left, has acquired an incredible authority in the international arena. Many states began to trade with Mali precisely after a wasteful expedition to Mecca.

The creative intelligentsia, attracted by Musa, took part in the creation of an Islamic scientific center in the capital of the country, Timbuktu. The city has become the largest cultural center in Africa and its architecture has always delighted guests. This was a considerable merit of the Spanish architect As-Sahili, who built several unique mosques in the city. These iconic buildings formed the basis of a new architectural style named after the creator.

But the flourishing of the empire stopped with the death of Musa in 1332. His heirs did not have even a tenth of the talents of the great ruler and the troubles began immediately after the accession of his son Magan I to the throne. At first, Tombuktu was captured and plundered by its semi-savage neighbors, the Mosi people.

After the defeat in the war, the state was persecuted by internecine strife, corruption of officials and a decline in morals. By the end of the XIV century, the once admired empire ceased to appear in the reports of Arab travelers. The huge country broke up into small states at war with each other, which were easy prey for the strengthened neighbors.

By the middle of the XVI century, only a small sultanate remained of the powerful power that once subjugated the whole of West Africa.