By: Mary Ankrah
In the legend of Empire builders in the 14th century, one of the people remembered for his great contribution towards building of the Mali kingdom is Sundiata Keita. He was said to be the founder and first ruler of the Mali Empire.
Although his birth and childhood age was full of misery, he grew to fulfill the prophecy that surrounded his birth. Sundiata was known for building the Mali Empire into a great empire in the whole of West African and expanded his territory across boundaries along side the Mali surroundings.
As a result “A huge army kept the peace, putting down rebellions in the smaller kingdoms bordering the central part of the empire, and policing the many trade routes.”[1] It is also believed that he unified Ghana Empire and other states under his jurisdiction and made other chiefs for those provinces making it a federation of States.
According to some writers, Sundiata went to battle with the Sosso king to free his people from the rule of king Sumanguru. History also had it that Sundiata won victory over the Sosso king and this made the malinke people to be proud of him for liberating them from the hands of an alien king.
Sundiata is said to make his empire to flourish in agricultural product and expanded their trade that made Mali extensively wealthy. According to readings, “The Mali Empire grew and prospered by monopolizing the gold trade and developing the agricultural resources along the Niger River.”[2]
[1] Felmuasa Public Affair Committee. The story of Sundiata Keita – The Lion King. [ Online] Available http://www.felmausa.org/felmuasa93.htm, June 7, 2011.
[2] Felmuasa Public Affair Committee. The story of Sundiata Keita – The Lion King. [ Online] Available http://www.felmausa.org/felmuasa93.htm, June 7, 2011.
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