MANSA MUSA

The lion king story was stolen from the Mali people. It's loosely based on its founder Sundiata Keita. Sundiata was the founder of the Malian Empire his great nephew was Mansa Musa the richest man to ever lived.  Mansa came into power after the previous king Abu Bakr disappeared at sea. Mansa riches came from mining significant salt and gold deposits in the Mali kingdom. Elephant ivory was also another major source of wealth. Mansa Musa journey through Egypt was the start of his fall. Mansa traveled with an entourage of tens of thousands of people and dozens of camels, each carrying 136 kilograms (300 pounds) of gold. While in Cairo, Mansa Musa met with the Sultan of Egypt, his character was put on full display during his reluctant encounter with Cairo's ruler, al-Malik al-Nassir. According to ancient historian, Musa declined the the proposition, claiming that he was only passing through on his pilgrimage to Mecca. The audience was repugnant to him because he obliged to kiss the ground and the sultan's hand. Following a conversation between the two men and in return Musa left a piece of his incomprehensible wealth in Egypt. From the markets of Cairo to royal offices to the impoverished people that crossed his path in Egypt. Musa's generosity and purchase of foreign goods left the streets littered with gold. Musa's gifts of gold actually depreciated the value off the metal in Egypt. and his caravan spent and gave away so much gold that the overall value of gold decreased in Egypt for the next 12 years. Mansa Musa and his people overspent and left the city of Mali in debt, a factor which contributed to later Egyptian investment within the Mali empire. Mansa Musa died in 1337 C.E. His riches are only one part of his legacy. Musa is remembered for his islamic faith, promotion of scholarship, and his patronage of culture in Mali.