Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali

Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali is a novel by Djibril Tamsir Niane that retells the life of Sundiata Keita, the 13th-century founder of the Mali Empire. The Mali Empire, which flourished in West Africa from the 13th to 16th centuries, was established by Sundiata Keita after he defeated the Susu chief Sumanguru.123

The novel is presented as if recounted by a tribal storyteller, bringing to life the historical figure of Sundiata Keita and the era of the Mali Empire. Sundiata Keita's reign laid the groundwork for the empire's prosperity and political unity, expanding its territory and securing control over vital trade routes, particularly those involving gold.123