Final answer:
The religious and political leader of the Mali Empire was called a 'mansa', and Mansa Musa is the most celebrated among them for his wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca. However, the Mali Empire was created by Sundiata Keita, not Mansa Musa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The religious and political leader of the Mali Empire was referred to as the mansa. One of the most well-known mansas was Mansa Musa, who ruled from 1312 to 1337. Mansa Musa is especially famous for his elaborate pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325, during which he distributed vast amounts of gold, impacting the region's economy. The term mansa means 'emperor' in the language of the Mandinka people.
Mansa Musa's rule was marked by both his devout Islamic faith and exceptional wealth. He commissioned architectural monuments and notably made one of the most opulent hajj pilgrimages recorded, showcasing the might and prosperity of his empire. Under his reign, the Mali Empire expanded significantly and became twice the size of the preceding Ghana Empire, with a population of about 8 million people.
The Mali Empire was, however, not created by Mansa Musa but by Sundiata Keita, often referred to as Sundiata Kieta in historical texts, whose significant achievements laid the foundations of this West African empire.