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Monday May 12th 2008 |
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Monday May 12th 2008 |
a non-profit education organization | |
May 16
Sundiata was the founder and ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. "Keita Sundiata was the son of Nare Maghan, the ruler of Kangaba, a small state located on an offshoot of the upper Niger River. Sundiata left Kangaba, but the reason is unknown: he may have gone into voluntary exile to avoid a jealous half brother, or he may have been exiled by Sumanguru Kante, king of the Soso, who killed Sundiata's father and took over his kingdom. Sundiata responded to the requests of his people to return to Kangaba to help them regain their independence. He assembled a coalition of Malinke chiefdoms and in 1235 led them to victory in the Battle of Kirina. According to popular tradition, Sundiata triumphed because he was a stronger magician than his opponent. This victory marked the beginning of the Mali Empire. After defeating the Soso, Sundiata merged his authority among the Malinke people and established a strong centralized monarchy. Ibn Khaldun, and other fourteenth century North African historians indicate that Sundiata ruled Mali for 25 years. He expanded the state by incorporating the Ghana Empire and the West African gold fields. Sundiata built his capital at Niani, which was in his home region. Mali gained economic strength by controlling the region's trade routes and gold fields. Although he was Muslim, Sundiata allowed the people to practice their own religions. When Sundiata died, his son Uli became the mansa, or king, of Mali. The Malinke people of West Africa continue to regard Sundiata as a national hero. His death is estimated to have taken place around 1260. Reference: Africana The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience Editors: Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr. Copyright 1999 ISBN 0-465-0071-1
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The African American Registry®, The African American Registry® Copyright 2005, 2006
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