Mansa Musa: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived

Discover the extraordinary story of Mansa Musa, the legendary ruler of the Mali Empire.

In the fourteenth century, Mansa Musa ruled one of the most powerful and prosperous empires in the world. His famous pilgrimage to Mecca became legendary for the enormous quantities of gold he distributed along the way, while the empire he ruled was an important centre of trade, scholarship, culture and learning.

Mansa Musa: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived introduces young readers to the history of the Mali Empire through an engaging fictionalized retelling inspired by the life of its celebrated fourteenth-century ruler.

Through accessible storytelling and colourful illustrations, children encounter the Mali Empire, the importance of gold and trade, Mansa Musa's celebrated journey across North Africa, and the growth of centres of learning such as Timbuktu.

Part of the Legends of Africa series, the book introduces children to African history beyond the familiar narratives of slavery and colonialism, opening a window onto the kingdoms, empires, scholarship, commerce and political leadership that formed part of Africa's much longer history.

Written for children ages 5–9, the book can be enjoyed as a read-aloud with younger readers or explored independently by older children. It is particularly well suited to homes, classrooms and libraries looking for engaging resources on African history, Black history, the Mali Empire, medieval Africa and important figures from the African past.