The Richest Man in History

One of Mali’s greatest rulers was Mansa Musa. He is often called the richest person who ever lived. Mali had huge amounts of gold, and Mansa Musa controlled much of it.

Mansa Musa became famous during his long journey to Mecca, a holy city for Muslims. He traveled with a massive group of people, animals, and guards. Stories describe a very long line of camels, each carrying heavy bags of gold, stretching so far it seemed to go on forever. Along the way, he gave away large amounts of gold to poor people and cities he visited, amazing everyone he met.

His journey showed the world how rich and powerful Mali was. After this trip, people across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe all knew the name Mansa Musa.