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Sundiata

Type Figure Region West Africa Time c. 1217–1255 Also known as Founder of the Mali Empire

Sundiata (c. 1217 – c. 1255) was the founding ruler of the West African Mali Empire, said to be of Mandinka noble birth, forced into exile in childho…

Timeline

  1. c. 1220–1235Mandé · MandéForced into exile in childhood by Sumanguru's usurpation, Sundiata gathered allies during his exile and regained his strength and reputation, accumulating the power needed for his later counterattack against Sumanguru and the unification of the Mandé peoples.
  2. c. 1241–1250Niani · MaliAfter the victory at Kirina, Sundiata made Niani his capital, established the Gbara council system, and integrated the gold mines and trans-Saharan trade routes, making Mali one of the mightiest empires in West Africa; his reign continued to the mid-13th century.

Sources