![]() ![]() The name Sundiata praises him through his mother which means "the lion of Sogolon" or "Sogolon's lion". It is the traditional way of praising someone in some West African societies ( Gambia, Senegal, Mali and Guinea in particular). The name Sogolon derives from his mother and Jata means lion. The proper English spelling of Sundiata's name is Sunjata, pronounced soon-jah-ta, approaching the actual pronunciation in the original Mandinka. ![]() ![]() Mari Djata or "Mārī-Djāta" (according to Ibn Khaldun in the late 14th century).Conversely, the written sources left out other pieces of information that the oral tradition includes. The Mandinka epic does not give us dates, but Arab and North African writers who visited the area about a century after the epic's events documented on paper some of the information, including dates and a genealogy. He was the first of the Mandinka line of kings to adopt the royal title Mansa ( king or emperor in the Mandinka language). At The Battle of Kirina, Sundiata and his allies defeated the Sosso king, and he became the first Emperor of the Mali Empire. It was on the plain of Siby (var: Sibi) where they formed a pact brotherhood in order to liberate their country and people from the powerful Sosso king. The warlords of Mali at the time who were his age group included: Tabon Wana, Kamadia Kamara (or Kamadia Camara), Faony Condé, Siara Kuman Konaté and Tiramakhan Traore (many variations: "Trimaghan" or "Tiramaghan", the future conqueror of Kaabu). On his return, he was accompanied by an army given to him by the King of Mema. Upon finding him in Mema, they persuaded him to come back in order to liberate the Mandinkas and their homeland. When King Soumaoro Kanté of Sosso conquered the Mandinka people, messengers were sent to go and look for Sogolon and her children, as Sundiata was destined to be a great leader according to prophecy. As such, he was given a senior position within the kingdom. Sundiata was admired by the King of Mema for his courage and tenacity. This exile lasted for many years and took them to different countries within the Ghana Empire and eventually to Mema, where the king of Mema granted them asylum. To escape persecution and threats on her son's life, Sogolon took her children, Sundiata and his sisters, into exile. Their cruelty escalated after the death of Naré Maghann (the king and father of Sundiata). His paternal half-brother, Dankaran Touman, and Dankaran's mother, Sassouma Bereté, were cruel and resentful of Sundiata and his mother. Through this determination, he one day miraculously got up and walked. This significantly affected Sundiata and he was determined to do everything he possibly could in order to walk like his peers. She was constantly teased and ridiculed openly for her son's disability. Sundiata was crippled from childhood and his mother (Sogolon) was the subject of ridicule among her co-wives. Sundiata was the son of Naré Maghann Konaté (variation: Maghan Konfara) and Sogolon Condé (variations: "Sogolon Kolonkan" or "Sogolon Kédjou", the daughter of the "buffalo woman", so-called because of her ugliness and hunchback). The oral traditions relating to Sundiata Keita were passed down generation after generation by the local griots ( djeli or jeliw), until eventually their stories were put into writing. The magical balafon belonging to Soumaoro Kanté was stolen by Sundiata Keita's griot - Balla Fasséké and taken to Mandinka country. The balafon plays an important role in the Epic of Sundiata. Main article: Epic of Sundiata A modern balafon. The Manden Charter issued during his reign is listed by UNESCO as one of an intangible cultural heritage. ![]() The epic poem is primarily known through oral tradition, transmitted by generations of Maninka griots ( djeli or jeliw). The semi-historical but legendary Epic of Sundiata by the Malinké/Maninka people centers on his life. 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. He was also the great-uncle of the Malian ruler Mansa Musa, the wealthiest person of all time. 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. Prevailing view: Traditional African religion others claim Muslim Mansa Sundiata Keita also had daughters not just sons. As a Mansa (King of Kings), preceded by none). Naré Maghann Konaté and Dankaran Touman both as Faamas ( Kings in Mandinka language – pre- Imperial Mali. Founder and first ruler of the Mali EmpireĬrowned Mansa after The Battle of Kirina: c. ![]()
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