Mansa Musa was born in 1280 in Mali, West Africa, into a royal family. He became king in 1312 after the death of his predecessor, Abu-Bakr II, and embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, gaining fame for his immense wealth and generosity.

In ancient Mali, the main languages spoken were Manding, Soninke, Fulfulde, and Tamasheq. Manding was a widely used language, particularly by the ruling elite and common people in the Mali Empire. Soninke was prevalent among the Soninke people, who were influential in the region, and Fulfulde and Tamasheq were spoken by the Fulani and Tuareg communities, respectively.

Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire as an absolute monarch, meaning he had total authority over government and society. He was also greatly influenced by Islam, incorporating Islamic principles into the governance of his empire.

Mansa Musa treated the storyteller with respect and gratitude for sharing their stories and wisdom. He likely valued the storyteller's contributions to preserving the culture and history of the kingdom.

Mansa Musa traveled with a large entourage and significant amounts of gold during his pilgrimage to Mecca to showcase the wealth and power of the Mali Empire. This grand display was also a way for him to establish diplomatic relations, reinforce alliances, and enhance the reputation of his kingdom as a prosperous and influential state.

During the rule of Mansa Musa, poets, scholars, and artists were attracted to the huge libraries and universities of the city of Timbuktu in the Mali Empire.

Islam spread in Mali and Ghana by the Arab Muslim traders.