Part II: The Odd visitors
Meanwhile, inside the palace the emperor had received visitors of strange appearance. Two plump individuals wore large beige robes held together with white knotted ropes. Their heads covered with pointy hoods and their hairless faces made a bizarre dimple in a court full of bearded men. Next to the odd men stood the kings military chief Samory Koulibaly who quickly introduced them.
“My emperor, sorry to disturb but these are the men I mentioned yesterday before the celebrations and you asked to see them today at first light”
“I will let them introduce themselves”
Mansa Moussa while still playing with his new born, without looking up, lifted the hand in sign of approval. With no moments pause one of the men stepped forward, removing his hood, clearing his throat and began speaking Bambara.
“Great emperor, it is an honour to finally be in the presence”
“We have heard tales of your multiple explorations of the vast earth”
“We are stupefied by the magnitude of your many achievements”
“My companion and I, are priests from a faraway land called Europa”
“We have journeyed on wooden ships, in perilous circumstances during several months to meet your highness.”
“Tales of your countless pilgrimages to Mekka have crossed the blue seas to reach the rest of world—and as a result, we have voyaged many moons to explore the true prosperity of the wealthiest man alive.”
Suddenly, the emperor turned around with a piercing glare and discontentedly shouted.
“Don’t you see I am busy!”
“Speak plainly and stop with the banalities.”
“What I would like to know is where you’re from?”
“Who sent you and why are in my court?”
A brief deafening silence overtook the room, the priest shaking in fear of the unpredictable resumed his oration. With a precarious voice and sweaty palms crossed he began again by saying.
“I apologise for wasting your time, sire”
“We are envoys of the king of Spain Phillip II who recently took control of Portugal to form the Portuguese empire.”
“The king sends his regards coupled with some of the best cotton, tobacco, silk, expertise from Asia and Europa.”
“In return, he hopes the two empires will be able to embark on future transfer of goods and knowledge.”
“Once again we are honoured to be in your presence and deeply value the hospitality.”
“Soon we will be leaving for Europa, it will be our pleasure to take any message you may have for king Phillip II.”
As the Christian missionaries began to lethargically move in the back of the room the emperor turned around and whispered.
“Where are you off to?”
Panicky the priests in tandem replied.
“Nowhere your highness!”
Surprised by the missionaries mastery of the native tongue Mansa Moussa’s curiosity grew further so he uttered.
“How have you learnt to speak our mother tongue so well?”
With a worried beam the monk replied:
“As missionaries it is our duty to learn the various dialects of the places we visit, this allows us to make deeper connections and enhance relations.”
“It has taken me several years to learn Bambara and I trust there is still more improvements to be made.”
Walking forward towards the missionaries the emperor firmly griped his staff while gazing into the eyes of the strangers before him. With an indulgent voice he said.
“I am glad you came all this way to see me and my people.”
“I appreciate your outstanding gifts and praises.”
“Also I have enjoyed hearing you make the effort to speak our tongue”
“However I do not trust you or your king.”
“Although my empire’s faith and culture promote collaboration, I cannot bring myself to believe the words you say.”
“I see a great divide between the verses and the person.”
“This may come to you as a surprise, but I know of Europa.”
King Phillip’s envoys could not believe what they were hearing, the look of shock plastered all over their faces. The slacked jaws could have caught any insects flying by. Unimpressed, the emperor carried on speaking.
“I am aware of its conflict ridden history and the tales of power thirsty men who would stop at nothing to gain additional supremacy”
“Once enough information on the empire’s strengths and vulnerabilities have been cumulated, what stops your from using your superior technology to invade our lands and misappropriate riches without local consent?”
“My people are self-sufficient and will never depend on others for their prosperity”
“Now, go back to your master and inform him I decline his offer”
“Leave my lands at once and never return”
“we will not be as endearing next time”
Terrified,the two men hastily walked out the door accompanied by the king’s military chief SamoryKoulibaly who tried to reassure them.
“The emperor was probably upset you interrupted him on such an important day”
“Don’t worry you will have friends here”
Still rushing to leave the imperial compound one of the missionaries responded in a more authoritarian voice.
“You people are unbelievable”
“Your emperor shall regret those words”
“We will return”
Meanwhile, the emperor now in the palace garden unrelentingly continued pondering about his most recent meeting with the European missionaries. A hollow feeling crushing his insides as if though a thousand doves had decided to fly around in there. He wondered whether his actions derived from pride and short-sightedness or pure love for his people. The emperors’ crown felt heavier than the previous night. Gripping the staff even tighter the emperor senselessly wandered about the garden. For the first time since the beginning of his reign, Mansa Moussa was unable to envision the prosperity he had always fought to protect. Soon after he remembered the words of the oracle which prophesised the start of a new era, characterised by great change in customs and traditions. The fear was momentarily alleviated by the idea that the oracle also foretold the coming of the saviour Kaya Maga. As a result, he decided the following years as emperor will be spent fortifying the military and training the future leader to oppose those who may seek to destroy the land.
