jjares reviewed Mansa Musa and Timbuktu: The History of the West African Emperor and Medieval Africa?s Most Fabled City on + 3255 more book reviews
This is a startling story about a man from West Africa who lived in the 1300s and was fabulously wealthy (with about 400 billion in today's dollars). He became so wealthy because the ancient land of Mali controlled the trade routes across the Sahara Desert. What I didn't know before reading this is that the Sahara region was a tropical jungle and lush land about 6000 years ago. When tectonic plates shifted, it caused the area to become drier and the lands started to turn into a great desert.
When the Romans invaded Africa and brought camels, they reopened the trading routes. Camels have the stamina to go great distances without water, carrying heavy loads. Thus, the trading routes reemerged. The Berber traders from Arabia also used camels for transporting the gold and salt they were moving across regions. Mansa Musa was able to take advantage of the Silk Road and Europe's Renaissance (and their desire for Eastern luxury goods).
Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim who planned to do his Haj (going to Mecca during the holy season) for two years. The description of his trip and the effects it had on the places he visited were worth the reading. This is such a different and original story; I really enjoyed learning so much in so few pages.
When the Romans invaded Africa and brought camels, they reopened the trading routes. Camels have the stamina to go great distances without water, carrying heavy loads. Thus, the trading routes reemerged. The Berber traders from Arabia also used camels for transporting the gold and salt they were moving across regions. Mansa Musa was able to take advantage of the Silk Road and Europe's Renaissance (and their desire for Eastern luxury goods).
Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim who planned to do his Haj (going to Mecca during the holy season) for two years. The description of his trip and the effects it had on the places he visited were worth the reading. This is such a different and original story; I really enjoyed learning so much in so few pages.
