Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali Characters

Character List

Djeli Mamadou Kouyaté

The griot who tells the story of Sundiata.

Sundiata Keita

The hero of the epic and founder of the Mali Empire. Also known as Maghan Sundiata and Mari Djata and Naré Maghan Djata and Sogolon Djata.

Sogolon Kedjou

Mother of Sundiata, and a great sorcerer.

Soumaoro Kanté

A great sorcerer king, and Sundiata's primary antagonist. By defeating him does Sundiata create the Mali Empire.

Sosso Balla

Soumaoro's son and one of his chief generals.

Dankaran Touman

Half-brother to Sundiata, and king of Mali in his stead before Sundiata's exile.

Balla Fasséké

Sundiata's griot, gifted him by his father. The son of Gnankouman Doua.

Naré Maghan

Sundiata's father, also called Maghan Kon Fatta. King of Niani.

Sassouma Bereté

Maghan Kon Fatta's first wife, the "queen mother" who forces Sundiata's exile.

Manding Bory

Half-brother to Sundiata and his best friend. An ally in the war with Soumaoro.

Maghan Kon Fatta

Sundiata's father, also called Naré Maghan. King of Niani.

Gnankouman Doua

The griot of Sundiata's father, Naré Maghan.

Namandjé

A wife of Maghan Kon Fatta and mother to Manding Bory.

Nana Triban

Half-sister to Sundiata and later his ally in the war against Soumaoro.

Fakoli Koroma

Nephew of Soumaoro. He rebels against his uncle when Soumaoro steals his wife.

Fran Kamara

A childhood friend of Sundiata's. Later the king of Tabon and ally to Sundiata. Named Tabon Wana after he becomes king.

Kamandjan

A childhood friend of Sundiata's. Later the king of Sibi and ally to Sundiata.

Soumosso Konkomba

Leader of the nine great witches of Mali.

Mansa Konkon

The king of Djedeba. He grants Sundiata and his family asylum in their exile but later reneges on the protection.

Moussa Tounkara

The king of Mema. He grants asylum to Sundiata and his family for many years.

Noumounkeba

A tribal chief who defends Sosso after Soumaoro's defeat.

Bilali

An ancestor of Sundiata's. The conquerer of Mali.

Farakourou

Head of the Mali ironsmiths (meaning a soothsayer). He gives Sundiata the iron rod that helps him stand.

Nounfairi

Father of Farakourou, a smith of Niani. He makes the iron rod that helps Sundiata stand.

Lahibatoul Kalabi

An ancestor of Sundiata's. He brought grace on Mali through his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Kolonkan

Sundiata's full sister.

Oulamba and Oulani

The two hunters who win Sogolon and grant her as wife to Maghan Kon Fatta.