Mansa Abubakari II, a ruler of the Mali Empire during the 14th century,

Mansa Abubakari II, a ruler of the Mali Empire during the 14th century,

Mansa Abubakari II, a ruler of the Mali Empire during the 14th century, stands out not only for his leadership but for his extraordinary vision and ambition. His story, though often overshadowed by the more famous Mansa Musa.
Abubakari’s reign occurred during a golden age for Mali, a time when the empire was one of the largest and wealthiest in the world. The Mali Empire was famous for its gold reserves, flourishing trade networks, and intellectual achievements. Cities like Timbuktu were renowned as centers of learning, where scholars, scientists, and artists thrived.

Abubakari II’s desire to explore the unknown was sparked by his fascination with the “western sea,” or the Atlantic Ocean, which lay beyond the horizon of the empire’s extensive trade routes. According to accounts from the 14th-century historian Al-Umari, Abubakari’s curiosity about what lay beyond the ocean led him to make an unprecedented decision. The ruler is said to have sent an initial fleet of 200 ships to explore the ocean. When only one ship returned, its crew reported strong and uncharted currents, which seemed to suggest that the ocean stretched endlessly westward. This finding only fueled Abubakari’s desire to learn more about the world beyond Africa’s shores.

Determined to undertake a more ambitious journey, Abubakari II reportedly decided to lead the next expedition himself. He abdicated the throne in favor of his younger brother, Mansa Musa, who would go on to become one of history’s most legendary rulers, renowned for his wealth and the famous pilgrimage to Mecca. Abubakari prepared a massive fleet of 2,000 ships, carrying sailors, soldiers, and provisions for what was expected to be a long voyage. According to some reports, the fleet was outfitted with large ships capable of long oceanic voyages, signaling that Abubakari was serious about the undertaking.

After his departure, however, no word was ever heard from Abubakari or his fleet. Some historians and theorists confirm that the fleet made it across the Atlantic and that the voyage could have preceded Christopher Columbus 200 years after.

One key point of interest lies in the similarities between certain African and indigenous American cultures. Some researchers point to architectural features, art, and even linguistic parallels that could suggest pre-Columbian African influence in the Americas. Additionally, the discovery of certain African crops, like cotton, in the Americas before European contact has raised questions about possible transatlantic exchanges. Some oral traditions in West Africa also suggest that a ruler once sailed westward and never returned, which many believe refers to Abubakari’s fateful voyage.