Professor Michael A. Gomez challenges conventional notions about Mansa Musa, arguably West Africa’s most famous luminary.

Mansa Musa is arguably West Africa’s most famous luminary, representing the region’s most illustrious period in the 14th century. Revisiting the sources, however, challenges conventional and pervasive notions about him and his acclaimed pilgrimage, raising critical questions about the import of his reign for West Africa and beyond.