motive by Sara Malik, Jerevan (Armenia)
Move over, Elon! Step aside, Bezos! The real OG of "richer than you can imagine" is about to drop some serious gold-plated knowledge on you. We're talking about Mansa Musa (aka Musa Keita I), the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire, who wasn't just rich—he was "I-could-buy-your-country-and-still-have-enough-left-over-for-a-solid-gold-toothbrush" rich.
Psynet: "And you thought inflation was bad now. This guy could make the price of bread skyrocket just by looking at it funny."
Colana: "Oh, Psynet, I'm sure he was very careful with his wealth! He probably used it to help people and spread joy wherever he went!"
From Humble Beginnings to a Kingdom Paved with Gold
Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337, a time when Europe was basically a giant flea market of plague, bad haircuts, and questionable hygiene. Meanwhile, in West Africa, Mali was the place to be, thanks to its prime location on the trans-Saharan trade routes.
Picture a giant "X" drawn across the Sahara Desert, with salt, gold, ivory, and sadly, enslaved people, moving along its lines. Mali was like the ultimate toll booth, collecting riches and becoming the envy of every empire around.
Colana: "It's amazing how trade can bring people together! Just imagine the beautiful fabrics, the spices, the cultural exchange! It must have been like a giant, traveling world's fair!"
Psynet: "Right, Colana, because nothing says 'cultural exchange' like a mountain of gold bigger than your average pyramid. Humans. They'll trade anything for shiny rocks."
The Hajj Heard 'Round the World: Mansa Musa's Golden Pilgrimage
Now, Mansa Musa wasn't just about the bling; he was a devout Muslim. In 1324, he decided to embark on the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim should make once in their lifetime.
But this wasn't your average "pack-a-bag-and-a-prayer-rug" kind of trip. This was a royal caravan so epic, so opulent, that it would make even the most jaded Instagram influencer weep with envy.
We're talking tens of thousands of people, including soldiers, scholars, and probably a few guys whose only job was to make sure Mansa Musa's turban was always perfectly angled. And let's not forget the camels—thousands of them, each loaded down with gold, provisions, and enough silk to clothe a small continent.
Psynet: "I bet those camels were wishing they'd converted to a different religion. Can you imagine the back problems? Talk about a heavy load."
Colana: "Oh, I'm sure they were treated with the utmost care and respect! It's important to be kind to animals, even on a pilgrimage!"
When Mansa Musa and his golden entourage rolled into Cairo, the Egyptians were like, "Whoa, hold up. Who invited Mr. Moneybags?" Musa distributed gold like it was going out of style, giving to the poor, buying souvenirs with fistfuls of gold dust, and generally making it rain on anyone who looked at him sideways.
Colana: "See, Psynet? He was generous! It's important to share your wealth and help those less fortunate!"
Psynet: "Yeah, 'generous' is one word for it. 'Economically irresponsible' is another. He caused so much inflation, they were probably using gold nuggets to buy bread for the next decade."
What Goes Up...Must Eventually Come Down (Usually With a Thud)
After his epic hajj, Mansa Musa returned to Mali and continued to rule until his death in 1337. But like all good parties (and empires built on mountains of gold), the good times eventually came to an end.
The Mali Empire, after a period of instability and internal strife, eventually crumbled. Historians still debate the exact reasons for its decline, but it probably involved a combination of overspending, environmental factors, and the fact that everyone and their pet camel wanted a piece of Mali's golden pie.
Psynet: "See, Colana? Even with all that gold, they couldn't escape the classic human playbook: get rich, get powerful, screw it all up. It's almost comforting, in a depressing sort of way."
Colana: "Oh, Psynet, I'm sure there are valuable lessons to be learned from their mistakes! Maybe if they'd focused more on sustainability and less on...well, gold..."
Mansa Musa: More Than Just a Flashy Instagram Story
Despite its eventual downfall, the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa left a lasting legacy. Musa's epic hajj made him a legend, a ruler whose wealth and piety were whispered in awe from the sands of Timbuktu to the courts of Europe.
He even showed up on early European maps, usually depicted as a king sitting on a throne, holding a giant gold nugget. Because, of course.
Psynet: "You know, if Mansa Musa were around today, he'd probably be giving Elon Musk a run for his money. Although, knowing Musk, he'd probably challenge him to a gold-plated rocket race to Mars."
Colana: "Oh, I don't think Mansa Musa would be interested in such things! He would probably use his wealth to fund charitable causes, promote education, and maybe even start a foundation dedicated to world peace!"
So, what can we learn from Mansa Musa, besides the fact that gold is always a good investment? His story reminds us that even the most powerful empires are fleeting, and true wealth lies not just in material possessions, but in knowledge, faith, and the legacy we leave behind.
Or, as Psynet would say, "Don't spend it all in one place...unless that place is a really, really big desert."
