Exploration & Migration

30 Facts About the African Kingdoms That Traded Globally Before European Contact

Fact 1 of 303%

Mali's King Musa crashed the global gold market by giving too much.

Mansa Musa depicted on a 1375 map holding a gold coin.

Mansa Musa's 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca was so lavish it caused mass inflation across the Mediterranean. He distributed so much gold that its value plummeted for over a decade.

"He gave out over 12 tons of gold during his stop in Cairo."

This event solidified Mali's reputation as the world's premier source of wealth during the Middle Ages.

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