In 1224 King Sumanguru led the Sosso in a
devastating raid on the Malian capital of Djeriba.
They razed the city and killed most of the ruling
family. Eleven princes were put to death in the
massacre, but Sumanguru spared one of them, the one he thought was no way a threat; a
crippled boy called Sundiata.
Six years later, Sundiata triumphed over his disability and became the ruler of the Malians. He surrounded himself with the most rugged people he could find, and began a guerrilla campaign against Sosso dominance. First he conquered Sangaran, a neighbouring kingdom and then he started a campaign against Labe and the Niger Region.
In 1235, when his army was ready and battle tested, he challenged the power of the Sosso at the Battle of Kirina. His armies defeated Sumanguru and destroyed the fortified and well-garrisoned capital of the Sosso, thus beginning his journey as Emperor.
Sundiata then invaded the city of Ghana and destroyed it. After these military actions, he returned to the ruins of his capital city, Djeriba, and received the sworn loyalty of the rulers of the conquered people at a triumphant and impressive ceremony.
Six years later, Sundiata triumphed over his disability and became the ruler of the Malians. He surrounded himself with the most rugged people he could find, and began a guerrilla campaign against Sosso dominance. First he conquered Sangaran, a neighbouring kingdom and then he started a campaign against Labe and the Niger Region.
In 1235, when his army was ready and battle tested, he challenged the power of the Sosso at the Battle of Kirina. His armies defeated Sumanguru and destroyed the fortified and well-garrisoned capital of the Sosso, thus beginning his journey as Emperor.
Sundiata then invaded the city of Ghana and destroyed it. After these military actions, he returned to the ruins of his capital city, Djeriba, and received the sworn loyalty of the rulers of the conquered people at a triumphant and impressive ceremony.
Sundiata never again
took to the battlefield, he would spend the rest of his days rebuilding his city and making sure it thrived
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