Ruler

Soninke was one of the first Rulers of Ghana.Soninke united the Soninke people (the northernmost Mande peoples) and possibly founded the city of Kumbi Saleh.Soninke first named their kingdom after this royal family. He was known as the Kaya maghan, "king of the gold," and as Ghana, or war chief. Over time, the land of the Ouagadou (Wagadu) became known as Ghana by the Arabs.