Sundiata Keita

The Mali Empire was one of the most powerful and prosperous states in West Africa from the 13th to the 16th century. It was founded by Sundiata Keita, a legendary hero who rose from a sickly child to a mighty warrior-king. In this blog post, I will tell you the story of how Sundiata Keita conquered Kumbi, the former capital of the Ghana Empire, and laid the foundations for his own empire.

Rise of Sundiata Keita
Sundiata Keita was born in the early 13th century to a noble family of the Malinke people, who lived in the small kingdom of Kangaba, near the present Mali-Guinea border. He was one of 12 royal brothers who were heirs to the throne of Kangaba. However, he was also a cripple who could not walk or talk until he was seven years old. According to oral traditions, he was spared by Sumanguru, the ruler of the neighboring state of Kaniaga, who invaded Kangaba and killed all his brothers. Sumanguru thought that Sundiata was harmless and insignificant because of his disability.
Sundiata proved him wrong. With the help of his mother and a blacksmith who made him an iron rod, he learned to walk and speak. He also developed his strength and courage by hunting lions and other wild animals. He became a respected leader among his people and gathered a loyal army of followers.
When Sumanguru tried to impose trade restrictions on the Malinke people, Sundiata decided to revolt. He managed to unite several peoples of West Africa who were oppressed by Sumanguru’s tyranny. He challenged Sumanguru’s power and fought him in several battles.

The Battle of Kirina
The decisive battle between Sundiata and Sumanguru took place at Kirina, near modern Koulikoro, Mali, around 1235 CE. It was a fierce and bloody confrontation that lasted for several hours. Both sides had thousands of warriors armed with spears, swords, bows and arrows. Sumanguru also had a secret weapon: a magical fetish that made him invulnerable to iron weapons.
Sundiata knew about Sumanguru’s fetish and devised a clever strategy to defeat him. He ordered his archers to shoot arrows made of wood instead of iron at Sumanguru’s army. The wooden arrows pierced through Sumanguru’s armour and wounded him and his men. Sumanguru was shocked and confused by this unexpected attack. He lost his confidence and fled from the battlefield.
Sundiata pursued him and caught up with him at a riverbank. He threw his iron spear at Sumanguru’s back and killed him. The fetish did not protect Sumanguru from iron because it was not facing Sundiata’s direction. With Sumanguru’s death, Sundiata won the battle and ended his reign of terror.

Conquest of Kumbi
After his victory at Kirina, Sundiata continued his conquests in West Africa. He liberated many states that were under Sumanguru’s control and made them his vassals or allies. He also expanded his territory to include areas rich in gold, salt and other resources.
One of his most important achievements was the capture of Kumbi, the former capital of the Ghana Empire, in 1240 CE. The Ghana Empire was an ancient Sudanese empire that dominated West Africa from the 8th to the 11th century. It was famous for its wealth and trade networks that connected Africa with Europe and Asia. However, it declined due to internal conflicts, droughts and invasions by Almoravids from North Africa.
By the time Sundiata arrived at Kumbi, it was a shadow of its former glory. It was still inhabited by some people who resisted Sumanguru’s rule, but it had lost its political and economic significance. Sundiata seized and razed Kumbi to the ground, destroying the last symbol of Ghana’s past imperial splendour.
By conquering Kumbi, Sundiata established his authority over the former lands of Ghana and inherited its legacy as the ruler of West Africa. He also gained access to the trans-Saharan trade routes that linked Africa with the Mediterranean and the Middle East. He used his wealth and power to build his own empire, which he named Mali, after his new capital near the Niger and Sankarani rivers.

Legacy of Sundiata Keita
Sundiata Keita is regarded as the founder of the Mali Empire, which lasted for more than three centuries and reached its peak under his grandson, Mansa Musa. He is also revered as a hero and a cultural icon by the Malinke people and other West African peoples. His life and deeds are celebrated in oral traditions, such as the Epic of Sundiata, which is recited by storytellers known as griots.
Sundiata Keita was not only a great warrior and conqueror, but also a wise and benevolent ruler. He established a system of laws and customs that ensured peace and justice in his empire. He also created one of the first charters of human rights, the Manden Charter, which proclaimed the equality and dignity of all people. He promoted trade, learning and culture in his empire, which became a centre of Islamic civilization in Africa.
Sundiata Keita’s conquest of Kumbi was a turning point in the history of West Africa. It marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. It was the foundation of a new empire that would influence the region for generations to come. It was also a testament to Sundiata Keita’s courage, vision and leadership. He was truly the Lion King of Mali.

References

– Sundiata Keita | Biography, Facts, & Empire | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sundiata-Keita 
– Sundiata Keita – National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/sundiata-keita/ 
– Sundiata Keita: The Lion King of Mali | Ancient Origins. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/sundiata-keita-lion-king-mali-005733 
– Central Intelligence Agency. (2023). Mali. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mali/ 
– Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Mali empire. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Mali-historical-empire-Africa 
– Dhwty. (2019). Sundiata Keita: The Lion King of Mali. Retrieved from https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/sundiata-keita-lion-king-mali-005733 

Tags