Mansa Musa

Mansa Musa was the tenth Mansa of the Mali Empire, which was one of the wealthiest empires in West African history. He reigned from 1312 CE to 1337 CE. During his rule, the Mali Empire was known for its vast gold production and trade. Mansa Musa is perhaps best known for his pilgrimage to Mecca, which brought the Mali Empire to the attention of the wider world.

The episodes hosted by Mansa Musa delve into various aspects of his reign and the Mali Empire. They cover his diplomatic exchanges, particularly his golden gifts to the Mamluk Sultan, and explore the naval power of the Mali Empire on the Niger River, highlighting the role of boat-builders and the strategic importance of the river for trade and military strength. Additionally, the episodes examine the architectural and engineering feats accomplished during his rule, such as the construction of major mosques, and discuss the impact of events like the historical theft of a gold shipment near Jenne on the empire's control over trade routes.