12th century – 13th century
Western Sudan
The Soso Kingdom was a Soninke-Mandingo polity that temporarily dominated provinces formerly governed by the Ghana Empire during the transition to Mali. Its rulers are portrayed as a splinter group that had rebelled against Islam and imposed a temporary political unity. The kingdom was defeated when Sundiata Keita overcame its ruler Sumanguru at Kirina in 1235, allowing the emergence of the Mali Empire.
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The Story
The Soso occupied the political interval between the fall of Ghana and the rise of Mali. Oral traditions identify them as a Soninke-Mandingo splinter group that had rebelled against Islam. For a time, they imposed unity on provinces once brought together under the authority of the kaya maghan.
Soso power ended in the thirteenth century when Sundiata Keita confronted Sumanguru, the kingdom’s ruler. The battle of Kirina in 1235 became the decisive event in the transition from Soso domination to the new Mandingo imperial order. The defeat of Sumanguru cleared the way for the political institutions associated with Mali.
12th century – 13th century
Western Sudan
The Soso Kingdom was a Soninke-Mandingo polity that temporarily dominated provinces formerly governed by the Ghana Empire during the transition to Mali. Its rulers are portrayed as a splinter group that had rebelled against Islam and imposed a temporary political unity. The kingdom was defeated when Sundiata Keita overcame its ruler Sumanguru at Kirina in 1235, allowing the emergence of the Mali Empire.
Continue exploring
The Story
Soso power ended in the thirteenth century when Sundiata Keita confronted Sumanguru, the kingdom’s ruler. The battle of Kirina in 1235 became the decisive event in the transition from Soso domination to the new Mandingo imperial order. The defeat of Sumanguru cleared the way for the political institutions associated with Mali.
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