One of the most pernicious historical myths to ever circulate is the wrongheaded belief that sub-Saharan Africa was uncivilized and devoid of history before the era of European colonialism. The sophistication and opulence of the Mali Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries completely shreds that idea. Many historians have pointed out that in the 1300’s Mali was wealthier, better organized, and more literate than most European societies. The Kings, or Mansas, of Mali may have even been the richest people to have ever lived. But are the tales of the Mansas’ wealth believable?  Tune in and find out how a hungering lion, African Atlantic explorers, and gold dust currency all play a role in the story. 

Works Cited

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“AFRICA | Africa’s ‘Greatest Explorer’.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Dec. 2000, news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1068950.stm.

Bell, Nawal Morcos. “The Age of Mansa Musa of Mali: Problems in Succession and Chronology.” The International Journal of African Historical Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 1972, p. 221., doi:10.2307/217515.

Cartwright, Mark. “The Gold Trade of Ancient & Medieval West Africa.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2 July 2020, www.ancient.eu/article/1383/the-gold-trade-of-ancient–medieval-west-africa/.

Goodwin, A. J. H. “The Medieval Empire of Ghana.” The South African Archaeological Bulletin, vol. 12, no. 47, 1957, p. 108., doi:10.2307/3886971.

“There Is No African History.” The Toynbee Convector, 1 Aug. 2015, davidderrick.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/there-is-no-african-history/#:~:text=But at present there is,not a subject for history.Villiers,

Marq De, and Sheila Hirtle. Timbuktu: the Sahara’s Fabled City of Gold. Emblem, 2008.