Question

You are a reporter who does not know much about Africa. One day, the ruler of Mali or Songhai comes through your city. Write an article about this person. You can use the internet and other sources to answer the above question.

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Here is my article. I chose Mansa Musa, leader of the Mali Empire.

A True leader of a Great Empire.

History is full of rulers and monarchs.

However, being a leader requires more and better characteristics than only being a king.

That is the case of Mansa Musa, leader of the Mali Empire of Africa.

Mansa Musa, the great Emperor that ruled from 1312 CE to 1337 CE. He was a smart king that ruled over a big portion of land. From Senegal, Guinea, and Gambia, to Nigeria, Mauritania, and Chad.

He made his Empire be one of the most prominent of the time due to trade and his strong army. Cities such as Gao or Timbuktu became important trade centers where different merchants from distant regions also intermingled to spread the Mali culture to many places.

Mansa Musa was a very religious man. He followed the teachings of Islam and ordered the construction of impressive temples for the time, to honor and practice his religion.