Sundiata Keita (c. 1217 - c. 1255) was the founder of the Mali Empire. As a child, he was known as ill boy. He had 12 brothers but King Sumanguru Kante of the Ghanaian kingdom (who conquered the Malinkas) killed all of them but spared Sundiata because he thought he was going to die anyways. When Sundiata was older he assembled an army and became a hero of the Malinke people (West Africa) because he overthrew King Sumanguru and became the king himself. He also had 3 names: Sundjata Keyita, Mari Djata I, or Sogolon Djata. He had crops growing such as rice and beans and he also introduced cotton. With all the crops selling the Mali Empire became very wealthy. He supported religion and took the title of Mansa.