1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
IranGerman politicsUkraine
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
History

Sunjata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire

01:55

This browser does not support the video element.

May 22, 2018

West African storytellers still sing praises of Sunjata Keita today. Crippled as a child, he overcame his disability to unify the fragmented kingdoms of the region, creating the vast medieval Mali Empire.

Tamara Wackernagel, Sidiki Doumbia and Philipp Sandner contributed to this package. It is part of DW's special series "African Roots", dedicated to African history, a cooperation with the Gerda Henkel Foundation.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Iran war: Israel striking 'infrastructure' across Tehran

Israel and Iran continue missiles strikes but Israel says it will halt strikes against key gas field. DW has more.
ConflictsMarch 20, 2026

Iran war: Why is the South Pars gas field so important?

BusinessMarch 19, 2026

Fact check: How fake images from Iran misled media outlets

PoliticsMarch 19, 2026
Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW

Go to homepage