Keita dynasty

The Keita dynasty ruled pre-imperial and imperial Mali from the 11th century into the early 17th century.^[1] It was a Muslim dynasty, and its rulers claimed descent from Bilal ibn Rabah. The early history is entirely unknown, outside of legends and myths. The first Keita mansa was Sundiata Keita. This is when Mari Jata is crowned and Keita becomes a clan name.^{[citation needed]} A couple of generations after him, his great-nephew, Mansa Musa Keita I of Mali, made a celebrated pilgrimage to Mecca.^[2]

The dynasty remained a major power in West Africa from the early 13th century until the breakup of the Mali Empire around 1610. Rivals from within the clan founded smaller kingdoms within contemporary Mali and Guinea. Of the members of these modern "daughter dynasties", the late politician Modibo Keita and the musician Salif Keita are arguably the most famous.^{[citation needed]}

^ Imperato, Pascal James; Imperato, Gavin H. (2008-04-25). Historical Dictionary of Mali. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6402-3.
^ Cooley, William Desborough (1841). The Negroland of the Arabs Examined and Explained: Or, An Inquiry Into the Early History and Geography of Central Africa. London: J. Arrowsmith. pp. 63–64.

[1] Imperato, Pascal James; Imperato, Gavin H. (2008-04-25). Historical Dictionary of Mali. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6402-3.

[Cooley1841-2] Cooley, William Desborough (1841). The Negroland of the Arabs Examined and Explained: Or, An Inquiry Into the Early History and Geography of Central Africa. London: J. Arrowsmith. pp. 63–64.

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