Question

Mansa Musa became king of the Mali Empire in 1312. He ruled Mali for 25 years. Few other leaders in history have been as effective as Mansa Musa. In fact, his reign is remembered as a golden age in West Africa.

Mansa Musa was a strong ruler. But he was wise enough to let the various peoples of the empire follow their own traditional ways of life. In this way, he kept the kingdom peaceful.

Mansa Musa’s system of strong law, coupled with his tolerance of local practices, kept the peace in Mali. Mansa Musa worked hard at this. Historians believe that he settled many legal disputes himself. In addition, Mansa Musa worked to make Mali richer than ever before. He did this by expanding Mali’s trade.

As you have read, Islam had become a powerful force in northern Africa a few centuries before the rise of the West African kingdoms. By Mansa Musa’s time, the religion had spread to West Africa. Mansa Musa himself was a Muslim. In 1324–1325, Mansa Musa made a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city of Islam. His entrance to the city is remembered as being one of the most spectacular processions in history.

Mansa Musa led about 60,000 other Mali pilgrims into the city. Among them were 12,000 slaves—each carrying a 4-pound brick of gold. This display of wealth stunned the Arabs. News of the great, wealthy kingdom of Mali spread far and wide. This served to increase trade in Mali even further.

Practice 4: Mansa Musa

Choose the letter of the correct answer to each of the following questions.

Which of the following contributions did Mansa Musa make to Mali?
He kept the peace.
He expanded Mali’s trade.
He helped make Mali famous through his memorable pilgrimage to Mecca.
all of the above
How long did Mansa Musa rule Mali?
a brief time
25 years
many months
a decade

Answer 1

1. d — all of the above
2. b — 25 years