Kinberg, Nicholas Michael Chakmakian AP World History 31 July 2015 Chapter 19 Outline States of Sub-Saharan Africa Lion prince Sundiata, 13th-century founder of Mali empire in westAfrica Oral traditions include stories, histories, epics transmitted by singers/storytellers known in Africa as griots; scholars collected African oral traditions in 1950 Sundiata?s father ruled west African kingdom in northeast known as Guinea Sundiata had bad childhood, defective leg crippled him King died, enemies invaded/killed royal offspring, sparing child because they thought his condition would prevent him from threatening them Overcame injury, learned how to use bow/arrow, hunted in forest Enemiesbegan to fear him, forced him to seek refuge in neighboring kingdom