The wealth of many ancient and medieval African kingdoms far surpassed anything in Europe. One 10th century Arab writer, Ibn Hawkal, described the ruler of Ghana as the, “wealthiest sovereign on Earth.”1 The empire of Mali, Ghana’s successor in the region, was likely the wealthiest nation in the world in the 14th century. Regarding the Middle Ages, Basil Davidson writes, “Compared to the poverty of Europe…the wealth of the Indies (Known from The Adventures of Marco Polo) did seem infinite and wonderful; and if the Indies, then why not Africa as well.”2

Arabs and Europeans were consistently impressed and sometimes amazed with the wealth of the black African cities and kingdoms. Mahmud Ka’ti, a medieval Arab scholar, wrote that Mali, “has some 400 towns and its soil is most fertile. Among the kingdoms of the rulers of the world, only Syria is more beautiful. Its inhabitants are rich and live comfortably.”3 An Italian merchant, Ramusio, wrote that Mali, “being…so much civilized and so desirous of the merchandise of Europe.”4

Idrisi recorded that the Uangara, a West African people, have “flourishing cities and renowned fortresses, its inhabitants are wealthy; they possess gold in abundance, and receive the products brought to them from the other remotest portions of the earth….they are altogether black.”5 Ibn Battuta, an Arab world traveler, recorded that, “Kilwa is one of the most beautiful and well-constructed towns in the world. The whole of it is elegantly built.”6 Heinrich Barth, a 19th century German traveler wrote that the Nigerian town of Kano: “How great this national wealth is,” he proclaimed. “…a whole family may live in that country with ease, including every expense, even that of clothing.”7 All too familiar with the terrible conditions of the Victorian sweatshops in Europe, Barth continued: “If we consider that this industry (textile manufacturing) is not carried on here as in Europe, in immense establishment degrading man to the meanest condition of life, but that it gives employment and support to families without compelling them to sacrifice their domestic habits, we must presume that Kano ought to be one of the happiest countries in the world; and so it is so long as its governor, too often lazy and indolent, is able to defend its inhabitants from the cupidity of their neighbors, which of course is certainly stimulated by the very wealth of this country.”8

Concerning the East African coast, V.V Matveiev wrote: “The Portuguese were impressed by the towns, the appearance and architecture of which did not fall short of anything they had at home, and by the wealth of the inhabitants who came to meet them and were elegantly dressed in rich, gold-adorned clothes and in silk and cotton cloth. The woman wore chains and bangles of gold and silver on their arms and legs, and earrings set with precious stones.”8 Davidson reasoned, “In the matter of wealth and knowledge of a wider world it must have seemed a great deal more civilized.”9 De Gama, regarding the East African Coastal city Quilimane, recorded how the East Africans looked down upon the Portuguese and their inferior material wealth: “When we had been two or three days at this place two senhores of the country came to see us. They were very haughty; and valued nothing which we gave them…A young man in their company–so we understood from their signs–had come from a distant country, and had already seen big ships like ours.” The East Africans had actually seen much greater ships used to sail the Indian Ocean

I just wanted to post this to remind folks that we (African People) know what wealth is we have all the riches..living in America we need to free ourselves from all the trickery and retain what we already know how to do naturally be a force to be reckoned with and take simple steps to keep YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET. Everyday someone is trying to take money out of your pocket, don’t believe that %#&@$! about money is evil because I tell you what if I have money I have freedom to live and do what I want for the most part!