Oct 16

Oct 16 I AM talks to Amir Webb about his historical fiction Musa: Mansa of Mali

Amir Webb is a public historian and researcher based in Washington D.C. Amir studied history at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Southern New Hampshire. Writing for such sites as The Muslim Vibe and Off Tha Record he specialises in Black Muslim history while also studying Confederate history. I AM spoke with Amir about Musa: Mansa of Mali, a historical fictional book based on the real life iconic King of Mali; King Mansa Musa, who, if was still alive today would be the richest man in the world.

Synopsis

We’re introduced to Isa, the childhood friend of Musa who finds himself working as his Chief of Council. Far from his old life as a fisherman, Isa has to learn how to deal with selfish politicians, self absorbed courtiers and balance his duties as Chief of Council and friend to Mansa Musa, which collides on more than one occasion. A story that spans the Mali Empire and North Africa, there is no shortage of political suspense in this historical fictional story.

IAM: What was your reason for choosing a story around the life and times of Mansa Musa?

AW: The reason for choosing a story about Mansa Musa was to shine a light on a very romanticised part of Muslim/African history. I also wanted to humanise Mansa Musa, placing him in history, with all of the social, political, and historical information of the time that we have. Understanding Mansa Musa, as a person with goals, ambition, faults, and shortcomings was very important in writing this book.

IAM: What was the most shocking revelation in your research?

AW: The fact that Musa actually had an entire housing complex built in Cairo prior to his visit. This trip was well planned, and was meant to be part of his religious experience of going to Hajj. We know that the Sultan of Egypt sent Musa various invites to meet with him, which I also found surprising. There is no historical record of what was discussed in the meeting, but what we do know is the story of, Musa leaving Cairo and giving gold, which some sources say he says was loaned to him by bankers in Cairo.

IAM: You have mentioned the importance of giving black female characters agency in your narrative. What inspired such a decision?

AW: History has been very unfair to women and at the very least, women have been left out of the most important stories of our culture. I knew I would have to write Black women in the story, but how I did this was very important to me. I did not want to sexualise any of the women in my story, but I did want them to have agency over their bodies. I wanted every women in my story to have a set of goals and aspirations that were different from the men in their lives.

IAM: How do you think Mansa Musa should be remembered?

AW: I think Mansa Musa should be remembered as a man, a man that used slave labour to mine gold, a man that was deeply religious, and a man that had ambition. He was not free of contradiction, I think we do ourselves a grave disservice when we romanticise rulers.