Who was Mansa Musa? Why is he important?

He was the Emperor of Mali in the 14 century, founder to Timbuktu as a trading center in North Africa through the Sahara.

Mansa Musa was the leader of Mali a West African empire which became the largest and richest empire in Africa under Mansa Musa. Mansa means emperor so Mansa Musa means Emperero Musa. He is believed to be the grandson of Sundiata, the founder of the dynasty. He captured the neighbouring kingdom of Songhai and elevated the city of Timbuktu to be an important trading center in North Africa.

He is famous for his pilligrimage to Mecca, in 1325 he set out with 60,000 porters; 80 camels carrying 140 kg of gold each; and 6000 slaves clad in Persian silk. It is said that his lavish spending in the bazzars of Cairo flooded the market with so much gold that it depressed its value for 12 years. It was this flamboyant journey which awakened the world to the splendor and riches of Mali.