Contents 

• Journal entries listed in chronological order
• Preparation (1)
• Timbuktu (2)
• University (3)
• Desert (4)
• Berbers (5)
• Oasis (6)
• Exit (7)
• Entrance (8)
• Alms (9)
• Visit (10)
• Apprehension (11)
• Voyage (12)
• Arrival (13)
• Hajj (14)
• Thoughts (15)
• Return (16)
• Map
• Top Five Moments
• Cultural Exchanges
• Bibliography

Bibliography

"Musa, Mansa (1280-1337)." The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed. Accessed January 5, 2016. http://www.blackpast.org/gah/musa-mansa-1280-1337.

"Musa Mansa Facts." Musa Mansa Facts. Accessed January 4, 2016. http://biography.yourdictionary.com/musa-mansa.

"Musa I of Mali | Emperor of Mali." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. September 6, 2015. Accessed January 4, 2016. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Musa-I-of-Mali.

"Musa I of Mali." Wikipedia. December 28, 2015. Accessed January 4, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_I_of_Mali#cite_note-6

Goodwin, A. J. H. "The Medieval Empire of Ghana." In The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 108-112. 47th ed. Vol. 12. South African Archaeological Society, 1957

Bell, Nawal Marcos. "The Age of Mansa Musa of Mali: Problems in Succession and Chronology." In The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 221-234. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Boston University African Studies Center, 1972.


Levtzion, Nehemia. "The Thirteenth- and Fourteenth-Century Kings of Mali." In The Journal of African History, 341-353. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. Cambridge University Press, 1963.

Cultural Exchanges 

• Timbuktu, Mansa Musa finds a new market and trade center. He also discovers that Timbuktu was once a center of learning.
• Berbers, Mansa Musa likely learned the hard way that a large amount of water is required for desert travel from the Berbers. They were willing to share their water, but Musa came very close to having his caravan die from thirst.
• Alms, Mansa Musa observes the disorganized nature of the city Cairo and is not pleased. He resolves not to let that happen to his country.
• Voyage, Mansa Musa gets at least a tolerance of boating from the seafaring peoples of East Africa.
• Arrival, Mansa Musa learns from the Arabs that it is a sign of respect toward the animal and God to water your camel before yourself. He picks up this custom and his caravan follows suit.

Top Five Moments 

1. University; Mansa Musa found the remains of an old university in Timbuktu. He made the decision to restore it to it's former glory and more.
2. Berbers; Mansa Musa was worried his caravan would not have enough water to make it to a desert oasis. Luckily, they encountered some Berbers and purchased some of their water.
3. Visit; Mansa Musa met with the Egyptian Sultan. The appearance of the worn-down Sultan shocked Musa. He made the decision to abdicate the throne to his son when he returned.
4. Voyage; Mansa Musa sailed on a boat for his first time. He did not necessarily enjoy it, but it was not as bad as he expected. Since the ruler before him lost his life to the sea, he was understandably apprehensive.
5. Hajj; Mansa Musa completed the Islamic Hajj. He reaffirmed his Islamic faith and he fell in love with Mecca, which cemented his decision to abdicate and return to Mecca afterward.

Map

Return 

I am Mansa Musa, the King of Kings.

I am in sight of Niani, my capital city, except this time, from the opposite direction. I have returned from my Hajj to Mecca. I know not what I will find in the city. Will my son be ready for the burden I am going to place on him? Will my brother accept it? Is it my destiny to never return to Mecca? One of the most important things this journey has taught me is that life has many questions. As mortals, all we can do is trust in Allah, keep his commands, and do our best to solve problems. Things will work out in the end, one way or another. Since my Hajj is complete, this journal may be considered complete as well. I may start another set of writings if and when I return to Mecca. Therefore, I end my account with this final statement: Praise to Allah.

Note: This is the end of Mansa Musa's account of his Hajj. It admirably demonstrates his frame of mind and thoughts while he undertook the Hajj. Included in this compendium will be a map of  his Hajj, a list of cultural exchanges, and the top five moments of the entire pilgrimage. Also, a bibliography of sources used will be included. 

For those curious about the end of this story, Mansa Musa died of natural causes shortly after returning to Mali. His son, Mansa Magha, ruled for several years and then died of unknown causes. Afterward, Musa's brother Sulayman began a reign that lasted a large amount of time (Bell, Nawal Marcos. "The Age of Mansa Musa of Mali: Problems in Succession and Chronology." In The International Journal of African Historical Studies, 221-234. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Boston University African Studies Center, 1972).

Truly, Mansa Musa's story is one that will endure through the ages.

Thoughts 

I am Mansa Musa, the King of Kings.

We have made it back to the oasis in the Great Desert. The trip has been uneventful. Due to my distaste with the sultan, I chose not to return to Cairo. Once more I am in the oppressive heat and strange sadness of this desert. We have not met any other travelers, and therefore have no impression of what has happened in Mali while we have been gone. As always, I worry incessantly. I do not know how my son has fared with his first bout of leadership. If he proves to be unable to rule effectively, I will not be able to fulfill my wish and return to Mecca. I am alone with my thoughts, and as a result I have pondered many possible situations. I have resolved that I will do everything in my power to prepare my son for leadership so I may abdicate, but if he is not ready, I will delay my return. I cannot leave my country in shambles and abandon all that I have worked for and held dear without knowing that it is with someone who can be trusted to handle what this harsh world will throw at them. On a happier note, while in Mecca I found several architects from the lands of Andalusia, across the sea to the north. They will help me rebuild the University of Timbuktu and establish it as a center of learning and education. Despite my eagerness to return to Mecca, I am excited to see and travel my homeland one final time.