BéréSanké Percussion, Kocassalé Dioubaté, Hand-made drums, Workshops, Performances
Hand-made African drums, instruments, music, workshops and performances.
Sundiata Keita - The Rise of the Mali Empire
The Soninké (a group of Mandingo people) founded the first known Empire in West Africa – the Wagadou Empire, which dominated the entire western Sudan from the 8th to the 12th century. The empire later became known in Europe and Arabia as the Ghana Empire, after the title of its ruler, the Ghana, meaning "Warrior King”. At its height, the empire could field an army of 200,000 soldiers.
By the 12th century the Ghana Empire was weakening, and another tribe, the Susu, had begun to gain control of the region. Led by Sumaoro Kanté, the Susu seized Koumbi Saleh, former capital of the Ghana Empire, and expanded outward, conquering the Mandingo people among others.
Forging a coalition of neighboring small kingdoms, exiled Mandingo prince Sundiata Keita fought the Susu, finally defeating Soumaoro Kanté at the legendary Battle of Kirina (c. 1235 or 1240 depending on the source). Soumaoro Kanté disappeared into the Koulikoro mountains, and Sundiata Keita assumed the title "Mansa," "King of Kings," - the first ruler of the legendary Mali Empire, which would control most of West Africa for the next two centuries.
Sundiata Keita established the new capital at his home village of Niani, near the Malian border of present-day Guinea, and spent the rest of his life developing its wealth. He encouraged agriculture to supply the needs of the city, and the gold-fields of Wangara were conquered and its supply diverted into Niani, attracting North African merchants to Niani.
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Sundiata Keita died in 1255, while crossing the Sankarini River, where a shrine remains today. He had three sons who succeeded him to the throne of the Mali Empire: Mansa Wali Keita, Ouati Keita and Khalifa Keita.
