Sundiata Keita - Other Names and Etymology

Other Names and Etymology

There are variations in the spelling of Sundiata Keita's name. He is also known by different names some of which are given below:

• Mari Djata I
• Songolon Djata
• Sundjata Keyita
• Mari Djata or "Mārī-Djāta" (according to Ibn Khaldun in the late 14th century)
• The Lion King

The proper English spelling of Sundiata's name is Sunjata pronounced: soon-jah-ta, which reflects the actual pronunciation and the Mandinka language. The name Sogolon derives from his mother and Jata means lion. It is the traditional way of praising someone in some West African societies (Gambia, Senegal, Mali and Guinea in particular). The name Sundiata praises him through his mother which means "the lion of Songolon" or "Songolon's lion". The name Jata derives from Jara (lion). Jara and many of its variations such as jata, jala or jada are merely regional variations for example Gambia, Guinea, Mali etc. Sundiata's name is thus a combination of his mother's name Songolon (Sun or its variation Son) and jata (lion).