Musa I of Mali

Mansa Kankan Musa I ( † 1337) was from 1312 to 1337 King of Mali. Under his reign, the country reached its peak, and Timbuktu was one of the largest cities in Africa.

Life

Mansa Musa was considered the "richest man of his time ". Legendary was his pilgrimage to Mecca 1324/25. The fabulously wealthy king was on the trip out so much gold that it ruined Egypt in the value of the gold-based Egyptian Dinars for years to come. He himself felt this on his return journey. Because his gold no longer had the original value, he had to borrow money from a merchant.

He died in 1337 and was succeeded by Mansa Magha.