Mansa Musa. One of the greatest emperors of the kingdom of Mande was Mansa Musa, He came to power in 1307. The cities that he built became centres of Arab culture. Here, in his capital city of Mali, Mansa Musa is borne on a litter by subject chiefs, and attended by the court poet (wearing the bird-head and feathers). Original artwork for illustration on pp4-5 of Look and Learn issue no 329 (4 May 1968).