Sundiata Keita

Sundiata Keita or Sunjata Keïta ( meaning: lion - king), also Sogolon Jata (* 1190 in Niani, Mali Empire; † around 1255/1260 ) was of about 1245 until his death in the first ruler of the Kingdom of Mali. He joined the Islam and bore the title of Mansa, which means about King of Kings.

His life is known only from the oral tradition of Malian griots. " Sundiata " but is perhaps identical with " Mari - Jata ", which is mentioned in the writings of the Arab historian Ibn Khaldun as the founder of the Kingdom of Mali. Ibn Khaldun records based on oral messages from informants of the late 14th century the region.

Sundiata was a member of the Mandinka ethnic group.

Three of his sons were successively his successor Mansa Wali Keita (ca. 1260-1270 ); Ouati Keïta (ca. 1270-1274 ) and Khalifa Keita ( 1274/1275 ). One of his later descendants Salif Keïta 's (musician ).

Trivia

The Ivorian Tiken Jah Fakoly Reggae musician devoted Sundiata Keïta his song Sundjata from the 1999 released album Cours d' histoire. In addition, a film adaptation of Sundiata Keïta is scheduled life, will play in the Tiken Jah Fakoly the lead role. For more information on the film are not yet known.

Bibliography

Jansen, Jan: Épopée, histoire, société: Le cas de Soundiata, Mali et Guinée, Paris 2001 Johnson, John William: . The Epic of Son - Jara, Bloomington 1986 Niane, Djibril, Tamsir. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, London 1979.