Mansa

Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire and is popularly referred to as the Lion King. Prior to this, Sundiata was the king / chief of a small, obscure Mandinka tribe within the Ghana Empire. With the decline of the Ghana Empire during the 13th century AD, Sundiata seized the opportunity to increase his power, and eventually subdued the Ghana Empire, turning it into one of his vassals. Much of what we know about Sundiata’s life is derived from oral tradition, in particular one that is known as the Epic of Sundiata. Additionally, written evidence about this ruler can be found in the writings of several Muslim travelers who visited Mali. Sundiata’s Mother - The Buffalo Woman According