Ancient African heroes
Heroes Come to Life
Legendary rulers, warriors, and resistance leaders from across the continent — filter by region to explore heroes from a particular part of Africa.
Malic. 1280 – c. 1337
Mansa Musa
Emperor of Mali whose wealth reshaped world maps
The tenth mansa of the Mali Empire is remembered as one of the richest individuals in recorded history, and his 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca made the world take notice of West Africa.
Read the story →Malic. 1217 – 1255
Sundiata Keita
The Lion Prince who founded the Mali Empire
Exiled as a sickly child and mocked by rivals, Sundiata Keita returned to unite the Mandinka kingdoms and found the empire that would make Mansa Musa's wealth possible.
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