Way before Columbus, ancient Malians sailed to the Americas in 1311
According to a number of sources, Abubakari II, Mansa (King) of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, led Malian sailors to the Americas, specifically present-day Brazil, almost 200 years before Columbus arrived. Abubakari II ruled what was arguably the richest and largest empire on earth – covering nearly all of West Africa. However, he handed his throne to his brother, Kankou Moussa, and set off on an expedition into the unknown in 1311.
