The kingdom of Mali was born of the Mandinka people in Western Africa, around the northern turn of the Niger River. According to legend, the first king of the empire of Mali was Sundiata Keita, who defeated the last king of Ghana at the Battle of Kirina in 1235. After that victory, he was crowned "Mansa," which is Mandinkan for "king of kings."
The most important city in Mali was Timbuktu, located on major trade routes.
Much of what we know about Sundiata is legendary, told in the oral tradition by griots. A griot is a storyteller and they travelled throughout West Africa singing songs and telling histories. Griots and the stories they have been telling for centuries are still a tradition in West Africa to this day. Watch the video below of a modern griot named Prince Diabate as explains the importance of the griot in West Africa.
Sundiata was known as the "Lion King." In fact, his story served as inspiration for the Disney movie of the same name.
In the Disney version of the Lion King, a young lion prince is born in Africa to Queen Sarabi and King Mufasa, thus making his uncle Scar the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, thus making himself King. The King is killed and Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his fault, and so flees the kingdom in shame. After years of exile he is persuaded by the Baboon Rafinki to return home to overthrow Scar and claim the kingdom as his own thus completing the "Circle of Life."
Here is the story of Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali (adapted from a book by David Wisniewski):
In the Disney version of the Lion King, a young lion prince is born in Africa to Queen Sarabi and King Mufasa, thus making his uncle Scar the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, thus making himself King. The King is killed and Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his fault, and so flees the kingdom in shame. After years of exile he is persuaded by the Baboon Rafinki to return home to overthrow Scar and claim the kingdom as his own thus completing the "Circle of Life."
Here is the story of Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali (adapted from a book by David Wisniewski):
A long time ago, King Maghan ruled the kingdom of Mali. He was loved by his people and had many wives. One day, a hunter came from far away to visit the king. The hunter asked him to marry a woman called Sogolon. King Magham demanded, "why should I marry a woman I do not know just because a stranger has told me to?" The hunter told him that Sogolon would bear him a son who will become the greatest king ever to rule the kingdom. Like most Malians, the king believed in fate and destiny, and the king listened to the advice of the hunter. Even though Sogolon was very ugly, the king married her and she gave birth to a son. He was named Sundiata. But as the boy grew older they realised that he couldn’t use his legs.
King Maghan became very sick when Sundiata was still a young boy. Knowing his days were numbered, the king called Sundiata to his bedside, telling his son, “when I go, you will be king. You are destined for greatness, my boy!” But after king Maghan died, the king’s first wife ‘Sassouma’ believed that her son, Dankaran should be king. Sassouma spread tales about Sundiata around the kingdom so people wouldn’t accept him. The gossip worked and Dankaran became king instead. Sundiata was forced to flee with his mother.
Living far away in a foreign land, Sogolon became very unhappy. She said to her son, "Sundiata, you must know that I love you dearly, but I am worried about your future. You are a strong boy and have a great heart, but your legs have allowed Sassouma to take control. We cannot let Dankaran be king - it is against your father’s wishes!" Sundiata felt sad but he had great courage and determination. Using two iron rods from a blacksmith, Sundiata used all his strength to pull himself up. Gradually, his legs started to grow, and within minutes he was standing on his own two feet. He told the gathering crowd, “now I’m ready to be king!
The young Sundiata grew into a man and became famous for his strength and charm. He had many admirers. In the meantime, Sassouma and Dankaran had lost control of the kingdom to a wicked wizard called Sumanguru. An old griot called Balle Fasseke told Sundiata how Sumanguru had magical powers over the people of Mali, and how he even displayed the skins and skulls of his enemies as treasures in his chamber.
Sundiata was determined to go back and free his people of the terrible wizard. Balle Fasseke gave him a special arrow that would make Sumanguru lose his evil magic if scratched by the arrow. Trusting his friend, Sundiata set off to fight Sumanguru, joined by hundreds of his friends and supporters. There was a long and fierce battle but Sundiata’s determination and patience paid off. Sumanguru was wounded by the arrow and lost all his power. The wizard fled, never to be seen again. Sundiata was finally crowned king, and his adoring people called him, “the lion king of Mali” because of his strength and courage. Sundiata’s reign was a long and happy one, and he became the greatest king ever to rule the kingdom of Mali.
King Maghan became very sick when Sundiata was still a young boy. Knowing his days were numbered, the king called Sundiata to his bedside, telling his son, “when I go, you will be king. You are destined for greatness, my boy!” But after king Maghan died, the king’s first wife ‘Sassouma’ believed that her son, Dankaran should be king. Sassouma spread tales about Sundiata around the kingdom so people wouldn’t accept him. The gossip worked and Dankaran became king instead. Sundiata was forced to flee with his mother.
Living far away in a foreign land, Sogolon became very unhappy. She said to her son, "Sundiata, you must know that I love you dearly, but I am worried about your future. You are a strong boy and have a great heart, but your legs have allowed Sassouma to take control. We cannot let Dankaran be king - it is against your father’s wishes!" Sundiata felt sad but he had great courage and determination. Using two iron rods from a blacksmith, Sundiata used all his strength to pull himself up. Gradually, his legs started to grow, and within minutes he was standing on his own two feet. He told the gathering crowd, “now I’m ready to be king!
The young Sundiata grew into a man and became famous for his strength and charm. He had many admirers. In the meantime, Sassouma and Dankaran had lost control of the kingdom to a wicked wizard called Sumanguru. An old griot called Balle Fasseke told Sundiata how Sumanguru had magical powers over the people of Mali, and how he even displayed the skins and skulls of his enemies as treasures in his chamber.
Sundiata was determined to go back and free his people of the terrible wizard. Balle Fasseke gave him a special arrow that would make Sumanguru lose his evil magic if scratched by the arrow. Trusting his friend, Sundiata set off to fight Sumanguru, joined by hundreds of his friends and supporters. There was a long and fierce battle but Sundiata’s determination and patience paid off. Sumanguru was wounded by the arrow and lost all his power. The wizard fled, never to be seen again. Sundiata was finally crowned king, and his adoring people called him, “the lion king of Mali” because of his strength and courage. Sundiata’s reign was a long and happy one, and he became the greatest king ever to rule the kingdom of Mali.
Like Ghana before it, the Kingdom of Mali grew rich on salt and gold. The new capital of Timbuktu would soon become the center of trade and learning in the sub-Saharan world. News of great kings would spread far and wide. One king, Abubakar II, gave up his throne in 1311 to set out on a voyage to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Although he never returned, some claimed that he may have reached America.
Mali's greatest king, Mansa Musa would make a different journey, connecting the empire to the rest of the world.
Mali's greatest king, Mansa Musa would make a different journey, connecting the empire to the rest of the world.