The generally accepted death year of Mansa Sundiata Keita is c. 1255.[6][54] However, there is very little information regarding his cause of death. Not only are there different versions, mainly modern, but Mandinka tradition forbids disclosing the burial ground of their great kings.[55][56] According to some, he died of drowning while trying to cross the Sankarani River, near Niani.[55][57] If one is to believe Delafosse, he was "accidentally killed by an arrow during a ceremony."[58] Others have maintained that he was assassinated at a public demonstration, also known as a Gitten.[57] At present, the generally accepted cause of death is drowning in the Sankarani River, where a shrine that bears his name still remains today (Sundiata-dun meaning Sundiata's deep water).[55] His three sons (Mansa Wali Keita, Mansa Ouati Keita and Mansa Khalifa Keita) went on to succeed him as Mansas of the Empire. The famous and notably ostentatious[59] West African ruler Mansa Musa was Sundiata Keita's great-nephew.[10]
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