Mansa Musa's Conquest of Gao

Mansa Musa: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived — Fexingo History · Jul 25, 2026 · 6m · transcript

In 1325, Mansa Musa—the wealthiest ruler in history—turned his attention east. The Songhai kingdom of Gao, a powerful Niger River state, had challenged Mali's authority. Musa dispatched his general Sagmandir with a fleet of war canoes and land forces. The campaign culminated in the capture of Gao and the humiliation of the Songhai king, who was taken back to Niani in chains. This episode explores the military tactics, the political context, and the aftermath that solidified Mali's dominance over the Niger Bend for a century. We examine the role of the Sorko river people, the use of…