Africa (Mali)
Mali received a 4/5 Wens because they had a great economy. They had much surplus and an immense amount of gold and salt. Because of all of these resources, their economy flourished because of all the money that was being brought in from the trade that was happening there. Under Mansa Musa, many great things happened. He made the official religion of Mali Islam. After taking a Hajj, like every good Muslim, Mansa Musa saw all of the education, art, architecture and many other things that were going on in the Middle East. He was inspired and brought back scholars, books, architects and teachers to Mali. Mali became a center for learning. Mansa Musa also founded The University of Timbuktu. The civilization was so well off and their basic needs were met, so they were able to focus on bettering themselves and build things, like universities. This is why we chose to award Mali 4/5 Wens.
"This man [Mansa Musa] flooded Cairo with his benefactions. He left no court emir nor holder of a royal office without the gift of a load of gold. The Cairenes made incalculable profits out of him and his suite in buying and selling and giving and taking. They exchanged gold until they depressed its value in Egypt and caused its price to fall.” …"
Al-Umari cited in Levitzion and Hopkins Corpus of Early Arabic Sources for West African History (Cambridge University Press 1981) pp. 269-273.
This account is from when Mansa Musa was on his Hajj. He was a very wealth man and he showed off his wealth on this journey. He and his empire were very well off. They had so much wealth becasue they had so much trade in their city. With all of this money, they were able to promote a higher way of learning and life.
Al-Umari cited in Levitzion and Hopkins Corpus of Early Arabic Sources for West African History (Cambridge University Press 1981) pp. 269-273.
This account is from when Mansa Musa was on his Hajj. He was a very wealth man and he showed off his wealth on this journey. He and his empire were very well off. They had so much wealth becasue they had so much trade in their city. With all of this money, they were able to promote a higher way of learning and life.