Mansa Musa's hajj to Mecca in 1324-1325 was a monumental event in medieval African history. Not only was he one of the most powerful and wealthy rulers on the continent, but his entourage of several thousand people, his lavish spending, and his generous gifts along the way garnered tremendous interest in Mali. As word of his extravagance spread throughout the Arab and European worlds, Mali became known for its abundant gold resources and economic strength, leading to increased贸易，外交关系，和文化交流。This era, later referred to as Mali's golden age, facilitated significant intellectual achievements in the empire, with Timbuktu emerging as a renowned center of scholarship and Islamic learning.