Study Notes on the Kingdom of Mali and Mansa Musa's Hajj

Kingdom of Mali and the Hajj of Mansa Musa

Overview of Mansa Musa

• Name: Mansa Musa
• Reign Period: Approximately 1312-1337
• Significance: Considered one of the wealthiest individuals in history, known for his notable pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Hajj to Mecca in 1324

• Year: 1324
• Purpose: Undertook the pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, a religious obligation for Muslims.
• Impact of the Journey:
  • Mansa Musa distributed vast quantities of gold along his route.
  • His generosity and displays of wealth attracted international attention to the Mali Empire.
  • As a result, Europeans became aware of the Mali Empire's riches.

European Perception of Mali

• Map Creation:
  • In 1375, a Spanish mapmaker produced an illustrated map depicting Mansa Musa's kingdom in West Africa.
  • This map emphasized the wealth of Mali and its notable ruler, Mansa Musa.
• Map Features:
  • The map features an illustration of Mansa Musa, prominently depicted holding a gold nugget, symbolizing his wealth and power.

Historical Context

• Catalan Atlas:
  • The described map is a facsimile of the "Catalan Atlas", credited to Abraham Crèsques, who died in 1387.
  • The facsimile was edited and annotated by Georges Grosjean.
  • Published as "Mapamundi, the Catalan Atlas of the Year 1375" in Dietikon-Zurich by Urs Graf, with distribution handled by Abaris Books in the United States and Canada in 1978.

Copyright and Publication

• The copyright for the original map is held by Urs Graf, Publisher, GmbH as of 1978. Used by permission from Abaris Books, reflecting the historical importance of this document in understanding the geographical knowledge and cultural exchanges of the time.