Q 01/05

Mansa Musa of Mali lived from about 1280 to about 1337. In which century did his reign fall?

A) 12th

B) 14th

C) 16th

D) 10th

Answer · why

B) 14th

Mali reached its territorial peak under him, though he features less in Mandinka oral tradition than his predecessors.

Q 02/05

What does the title 'Mansa' mean in the Mandé language?

A) Ruler or king

B) Pilgrim

C) Golden one

D) Warrior

Answer · why

A) Ruler or king

The title passed to Mali's rulers after the founder's death around 1255.

Q 03/05

Mansa Musa's personal name is the Islamic form of which biblical prophet's name?

A) Moses

B) Solomon

C) Abraham

D) Joseph

Answer · why

A) Moses

In Mandé tradition his name became almost synonymous with pilgrimage, so other figures who made the hajj are also called Musa.

Q 04/05

Musa is called 'Kanku Musa' in oral tradition. What does the prefix signify in Mandé naming custom?

A) It means 'the golden'

B) It is his birthplace

C) It is his mother's name

D) It is his clan totem

Answer · why

C) It is his mother's name

The Tarikh al-fattash even claims he accidentally killed Kanku at some point before his pilgrimage.

Q 05/05

In which year did Mansa Musa set out on his famous pilgrimage to Mecca?

A) 1389

B) 1401

C) 1352

D) 1324

Answer · why

D) 1324

He left his son in charge at home and was away for more than a year.