Mansa Musa

http://www.mrdowling.com/609-mansamusa.html

How does the picture on this site portray Mansa Musa? What does the document that contains his portrait look like to you? For what do you think it was used?
Why did Mansa Musa go to Mecca? What impact did his journey have on the outside world? What impact did it have on Mali?

The Zanj

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/860jahiz.html

What does this text tell us about the relationship between the Zanj and the "Arabs" in Africa? What did the Zanj say caused the coloring of their skin? Why was this a concern for them?