Sundiata Keita of Mali

• Occupation: King of Mali

• Reign: 1235 to 1255

• Born: 1217

• Died: 1255

• Best known for: Founder of the Mali Empire

Biography:

Sundiata Keita was the founder of theMali Empirein West Africa. He ruled from 1235 to 1255 CE and established the Mali Empire as the dominant power in the region.

Legend

Much of what we know about Sundiata, especially his childhood and how he came into power, comes from stories passed down orally through storytellers throughout the centuries. Although much of what we know about Sundiata is legend, he was a real king who really existed and established the Empire of Mali.

Growing Up

Sundiata was born around 1217 CE. His mother, Sogolon, was the second wife of King Maghan of Mali. Growing up, Sundiata was ridiculed as a cripple. He was weak and couldn't walk. However, King Maghan loved Sundiata and protected him. This made the king's first wife, Sassouma, jealous of Sundiata and his mother. She wanted her son, Touman, to be king someday.

When Sundiata was three, the king died. Sundiata's stepbrother, Touman, became king. Touman treated Sundiata poorly, making fun of him and picking on him constantly.

Growing Strong

When Sundiata was a child, Mali was a fairly small kingdom. While he was still a child, the Soso people captured Mali and took control. Sundiata became a captive of the Soso, living with the leader of the Soso. At the age of seven, Sundiata began to gain strength. He learned how to walk and exercised every day. In a few years, he transformed himself into a powerful warrior. He was determined to free Mali from the Soso and fled into exile.

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Becoming a Leader

While in exile, Sundiata became famous as a feared warrior and hunter. After several years, he decided to return to Mali. The people of Mali were fed up with the high taxes of the Soso rulers and were ready to revolt. Sundiata gathered an army and began to fight against the Soso. He won several small victories until he finally met the king of the Soso on the battlefield. Sundiata defeated the Soso in what would later be known as the Battle of Kirina. Legend has it that Sundiata killed the Soso King, Sumanguru, with a poisoned arrow.

Emperor

After defeating the Soso at the Battle of Kirina, Sundiata marched on the Soso kingdom and took total control. He established the Mali Empire, conquering much of the Empire of Ghana as well. He took control of the gold and salt trade, helping Mali to become rich and powerful. Sundiata established the city of Niani as the capital of the empire. From Niani, he ruled for 20 years keeping peace in the region and expanding his empire.

Death

Sundiata died in 1255. There are different tales as to how he died. In one story, he died by drowning in a local river. In another, he was accidentally killed by an arrow during a celebration. His son, Mansa Wali, became king after his death.

Legacy

Sundiata's legacy lived on in the Mali Empire. The empire ruled much of Western Africa for the next several hundred years. The story of the legend of Sundiata is told throughout the world today. His story also inspired the Walt Disney film "The Lion King."

Ancient Africa

Trade Routes

The trade routes of Ancient Africa played an important role in the economy of many African Empires. Goods from Western and Central Africa were traded across trade routes to faraway places like Europe, the Middle East, and India.

What did they trade?

The main items traded were gold and salt. The gold mines of West Africa provided great wealth to West African Empires such as Ghana and Mali. Other items that were commonly traded included ivory, kola nuts, cloth, slaves, metal goods, and beads.

Major Trade Cities

As trade developed across Africa, major cities developed as centers for trade. In Western Africa the major trade centers were cities such as Timbuktu, Gao, Agadez, Sijilmasas, and Djenne. Along the coast of North Africa sea port cities developed such as Marrakesh, Tunis, and Cairo. The port city of Adulis on the Red Sea was also an important trade center.

Map of Medieval Saharan Trade by T L Miles

Routes Across the Sahara Desert

The major trade routes moved goods across the Sahara Desert between Western/Central Africa and the port trade centers along the Mediterranean Sea. One important trade route went from Timbuktu across the Sahara to Sijilmasa. Once the goods reached Sijilmasa they might be moved to many places including the port cities of Marrakesh or Tunis. Other trade routes included Gao to Tunis and Cairo to Agadez.

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Caravans

Traders moved their goods across the Sahara in large groups called caravans.Camelswere the main mode of transportation and were used to carry goods and people. Sometimes slaves carried goods as well. Large caravans were important because they offered protection from bandits. A typical caravan would have around 1,000 camels with some caravans having over 10,000 camels.

Caravan by Unknown

The Camel

The camel was the most important part of the caravan. Without the camel, trade across the Sahara would have been next to impossible. Camels are uniquely adapted to survive long periods without water. They also can survive large changes in body temperature allowing them to withstand the heat of the day and the cold of night in the desert.

History

Camels were first domesticated by the Berbers of North Africa around 300 CE. With the use of camels trade routes began to form between cities across the Sahara Desert. African trade reached its height, however, after the Arabs had conquered North Africa. Islamic traders entered the region and began to trade for gold and slaves from Western Africa. The trade routes remained an important part of the African economy throughout the Middle Ages until the 1500s.

Interesting Facts about the Trade Routes of Ancient Africa

• Before a trip across the desert, camels would be fattened up to prepare for the journey.

• The religion of Islam was spread throughout Western Africa through Muslim traders.

• Islam helped to encourage trade because it lowered crime rates through Islamic law and also provided a common language (Arabic).

• Muslim traders who lived in West Africa became known as the Dyula people and were part of the wealthy merchant caste.

• Camels have a double row of eyelashes to protect their eyes from the sand and the sun. They can also close their nostrils to keep out the sand.

• It took the typical caravan around 40 days to cross the Sahara Desert moving at around 3 miles per hour.