Sundiata Keita
| Sundiata Keita | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder and Emperor of Imperial Mali | |||||
| Reign | c. 1235 – c. 1255 | ||||
| Coronation | Crowned Mansa after The Battle of Kirina: c. 1235 | ||||
| Predecessor | Naré Maghann Konaté and Dankaran Touman both as Faamas (Kings in Mandinka language – pre-Imperial Mali. As a Mansa (King of Kings), preceded by none). | ||||
| Heir-apparent | Mansa Uli I | ||||
| Born | c. 1217 Dakadjalan, part of present-day Mali | ||||
| Died | c. 1255 (aged c. 37–38) | ||||
| Issue | Mansa Wali Keita Mansa Ouati Keita Mansa Khalifa Keita Mansa Sundiata Keita also had daughters not just sons. | ||||
| |||||
| House | The Royal House of Keita | ||||
| Father | Naré Maghann Konaté | ||||
| Mother | Sukulung Conté | ||||
| Religion | Prevailing view: Traditional African religion others claim Muslim | ||||
Sundiata Keita (Mandinka, Malinke: [sʊndʒæta keɪta]; c. 1217 – c. 1255, N'Ko spelling: ߛߏ߲߬ߖߘߊ߬ ߞߋߕߊ߬; also known as Manding Diara, Lion of Mali, Sogolon Djata, son of Sogolon, Nare Maghan and Sogo Sogo Simbon Salaba) was a prince and founder of the Mali Empire. He was also the great-uncle of the Malian ruler Mansa Musa, who is usually regarded as the wealthiest person of all time, although there are no reliable ways to accurately calculate his wealth.
Written sources augment the Mande oral histories, with the Moroccan traveller Muhammad ibn Battúta (1304–1368) and the Tunisian historian Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) both having travelled to Mali in the century after Sundiata's death, and providing independent verification of his existence. The semi-historical but legendary Epic of Sundiata by the Malinké/Maninka people centers on his life. The epic poem is primarily known through oral tradition, transmitted by generations of Maninka griots (djeli or jeliw). The Manden Charter issued during his reign is listed by UNESCO as one of an intangible cultural heritage.