Sundiata Keita << sun JAHT ah KAY tah >> (1210?-1260?), also known as Mari-Diata, founded the Mali Empire in West Africa in 1235 and ruled it until about 1260. Sundiata transformed Kangaba—a small kingdom of the Malinke people—into the core of the Mali Empire. It grew to be one of the largest and wealthiest of Africa’s ancient empires.
In the early 1200’s, Kangaba’s independence was threatened by Soso, one of several kingdoms that succeeded the Ghana Empire. Sundiata, who had become king of Kangaba, rallied his people and sought battle with the Soso army. In 1235, he destroyed the army of Sumanguru, the ruler of Soso, at the Battle of Kirina, near present-day Koulikoro, Mali. Further military successes led to the expansion of the Mali Empire. The empire prospered because it controlled major gold fields and was an important center of trans-Saharan trade.
Sundiata successfully combined Islamic and traditional African beliefs. His followers believed he had magical powers. Today, the Malinke people of West Africa still regard Sundiata as a hero.
See also Mali Empire.
