In Mandinka society the
lu (extended family) is the basic unit, and is led by a
fa (family head) who manages relations with other
fa. A
dugu (village) is formed by a collection of
lu, and the
dugu is led by the
fa of the most important
lu, aided by the
dugu-tigi (
village head or
fa of the first
lu that settled there). A group of
dugu-tigi form a
kafu. The
Keita clan initially held the status of
kafu-tigi before
Sundiata's expansion and the creation of the title
mansa for the ruler of the
Mali Empire. ==Kafo-tigi==