Sundiata Keita (1217-1255) is the greatest king of Mandinka tradition. Though little of his real life is known except for what the epic poem records, multiple sources who traveled through and near Mali during Sundiata’s lifetime confirm that he was a real historical figure. Sundiata is responsible for the formation of the Mali Empire, which flourished until the end of the 14th century. In the epic Sundiata is a chosen one, the son of a great king prophesied to be a ruler before his birth, possessed of supernatural strength, clairvoyance, and fearlessness. His years of disability in childhood mark Sundiata as both unique and mentally powerful enough to overcome adversity, while his many friendships and diplomatic allegiances show him as loyal, just, and benevolent.

Sundiata’s totem animals are the lion and the buffalo, representing his father and mother respectively: “You are the son of Nare Maghan, but you are also the son of your mother Sogolon, the buffalo-woman, before whom powerless sorcerers shrank in fear. You have the strength and majesty of the lion, you have the might of the buffalo” (63). In his early adolescence Sundiata proves himself a great hunter and achieves the title of Simbon (master hunter), and in later adolescence he also proves himself a great military strategist.