Legend has it that,
then, Sumanguru the ruler of Ghana charged excessive taxes probably to recover
massive wealth that he was losing. He also murdered Keita’s royal children and
captured Kangaba’s beautiful women. The Keita did not have much to do as they
believed that a ruler would once come, drive them out and destroy their entire
empire. Such is believed to have incited Sumanguru to carry out such
atrocities. Then, Dankaran Touman,
Kangaba’s king feared and was obedient to sumanguru. The people of his kingdom were aware of this
one of his weaknesses. It led to Dankaran’s brother, Mari Data, also known as
Sundiata to inspire optimsm among his people.
Sundiata was born a cripple and it is believed that
this is the reason Sumanguru spared him during attacks. At 7 years, he
recovered use of his legs. Education is said to have inspired his character and
he learnt to accept difficulties. From the book ‘A
History of West Africa 1000-1965’ by Roger Truelove, he writes, “Sundiata even
learnt to fight without the use of his legs.” He became a great fighter and
athlete and won popularity Dankaran Touman feared his personality and the
confidence he gave to the people. This led to Dankaran sending Sundiata and his
mother to exile. However, Dankaran was attacked by Sumanguru and too went into
exile.
The Kingdom of Kanjaba
was in a desparate situation and this prompted Sundiata to return from exile.
He became the King, received massive help from enemies of Sumanguru and
assembled a large army to face the latter. The Mandinka feared Sumanguru and
believed he was immortal. All in all, Sundiata was out to demonstrate that
Sumanguru was human. He conquered Sumanguru and captured the entire old kingdom
of Ghana. He created an empire, thus Kangaba Kingdom now became the empire of
Mali. ‘Mali’ is a name given by Arab travellers meaning a ‘place where the king
lives.’ The Mali referred to their kings as Mansa.
“So by 1235, the once crippled Sundiata was Mansa Sundiata of Mali,” writes
Roger. Sundiata died in the year 1255.
