West End Middle School



Africa 4: Mansa MusaNAME: _____________________________Period: _________Traditional Religions of AfricaFor centuries, Europeans believed Africans did not have a religion. But in reality, many religious groups, like the Igbo, believe that there was one Creator of all things, and that He governed over life and death, while lesser gods ruled other things. Most African groups understood the Christian and Muslim idea of a single god, but many wanted to continue their own religious practices. Even though Africans practiced their religion differently in different places, their beliefs served similar purposes. They provided rules for living and helped people stay in touch with their history. When relatives died, many Africans believed their spirits stayed with the community. They believed these spirits could talk to the supreme god or help solve problems. ISLAM IN AFRICASince the 600’s, the religion of Islam had spread from the Arabian Peninsula to Africa and beyond. But no man had ever visited every Muslim empire in the world. -171458445500In the year 1325, that would all change. That’s when a young Arab lawyer named Ibn Battuta (ih-bunn bat-TOO-tah) set out to see the entire Muslim world. Ibn Battuta was 25 when he began, and traveled throughout the lands of Islam for almost 30 years. When he arrived in Africa in 1352, Islam had already been practiced there for hundreds of years. Islam was popular in the cities where rulers and traders accepted it by choice or because it helped them trade with Arab Muslims. Some Muslims complained that Sundiata Keita and Sunni Ali – western Africa’s two great empire builders – did not do enough to win people over to Islam. They felt the two leaders were more concerned about stopping rebellions than spreading religion. Then came Mansa Musa…MALI & MANSA MUSAThe empire of Mali was already rich and powerful when Mansa Musa took control. Their huge army protected the gold mines and guarded trade routes. Travelers and traders were treated well when visiting Mali, which was not often the case in all empires during the Middle Ages. But Mansa Musa made sure that all visitors to Mali were welcomed, fed, and given shelter and safety. For these reasons and more, Ibn Battuta was very impressed with Mali and its benevolent sultan, or leaderMansa Musa was a Muslim, but he was not a typical Muslim. He allowed different religions to be practiced by the people under his rule, and encouraged a less traditional style of dress. Muslims in Mali often wore bright and vibrant colored robes, which was not common practice in Islamic empires at the time. Perhaps even more shocking was the fact that women in Mali were permitted to walk in public without a veil covering their face. This was considered by some to be very sacrilegious, and a number of travelers were disturbed by what they saw, including Ibn Battuta. Though he may have been unconventional, Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim and constantly worked to make Islam stronger. Some historians consider Mansa Musa to be the richest man in the history of the world. He used that wealth to build more mosques for Muslims to worship. He also set up libraries at Timbuktu, which collected books from all over the Muslim world, and established a university to attract famous scholars to come to Mali.Mansa Musa felt it was important for his people to see him “act like a king”. Whenever he left his palace, he would bring along hundreds of guards, musicians and even acrobats with him. People gathered to watch their leader travel through their town in the way that people watch parades in our society today. 34118554826000He also was known to lavish gifts upon his adoring subjects. Some people were handed luxury goods or even gold as he traveled through their province. In 1324 Mansa Musa made Mali known to other parts of the world when he set out on a long journey to the city of Mecca, also known as Mecca. Like we learned when studying Islam, all Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives. When Mansa Musa set out on his trip, however, he made sure everybody knew he was the leader of a great empire.34118551500505READ THIS!00READ THIS!It was said that he took over 60,000 people along with him on his pilgrimage. He also brought hundreds camels loaded with gold. During his travels, Mansa Musa gave away and spent a significant amount of gold. In fact, while he stayed in Cairo, Egypt he gave away so much gold that the economy of Egypt was ruined for years to come. Egyptian traders took advantage of the fact that many people had more money to buy good, and began charging as much as 5 times the normal price for their products. The value of gold decreased in Egypt by more than 25 percent. -1714525400000Mansa Musa also used his pilgrimage to enhance his kingdom of Mali both in reputation and stature. While in Mecca, he convinced some of Islam’s finest architects, teachers and writers to return with him to Mali. With their help, he was able to spread Islam throughout West Africa. -3810081280Mansa Musa’s PilgrimageFrom Mali to Mecca00Mansa Musa’s PilgrimageFrom Mali to Mecca-3810030480Creative Writing Assignment“Letter from Ibn Battuta”Based on the text: Africa 4: Mansa MusaTHE DEETS:Imagine that you are the famous Muslim traveler and explorer, Ibn Battuta. You are in the middle of your 30-year journey to visit every Muslim kingdom in the world.You have just finished your travels through Africa and met with the great Mali Sultan, Mansa Musa.Write a letter to your family describing Mansa Musa. Include in your letter things you were impressed by, things that you may not have liked and things that you think are important characteristics of Mansa Musa as a leader and a Muslim.INCLUDE SPECIFIC EVIDENCE from your reading and video today to back up your points in your letter.Be specific, be factual, and BE CREATIVE in how you craft your letter.DUE: Monday October 31stFORMAT: Your choice! Hand writtenMicrosoft Word (submitted online through Office 365)REMEMBER:You are writing AS the traveler Ibn BattutaImagine how he would be affected by meeting Mansa Musa. What would impress him? Confuse him? What would he find important?RESOURCES:Africa 4 textPrimary Source: The Sultan of Mali – (part of Africa 4 worksheet)Map: Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage from Mali to Mecca – (part of Africa 4 Worksheet)TedEd Video: Mansa Musa (One of the Wealthiest People Who Ever Lived)watch?v=O3YJMaL55TM ................
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