Mansa Musa's Pilgrimage: The Gold Crash and Cairo's Economy

Mansa Musa: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived — Fexingo History · Jun 7, 2026 · 8m · transcript

In 1324, Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire passed through Cairo on his hajj to Mecca, distributing so much gold that he allegedly crashed the local economy for over a decade. This episode delves into the historical accounts of al-Maqrizi and Ibn Iyas, examining how Musa's generosity disrupted Mamluk markets, the role of currency debasement, and the myths versus realities of the 'gold crash.' We explore the economic mechanisms behind the inflation, the reactions of Cairo's merchants and scholars, and the lasting impact on trade routes from West Africa to the Mediterranean. Join…