The Empire of Ghana, also known as Ghana, Ghanata or Wagadou, was a West African empire founded by the Soninke tribe. Kaya Magan Cissé or Kaya Maghan (meaning “ruler of gold”) was a legendary Soninke king and founder of the Cissé Tounkara dynasty, which dominated the Empire from the 8th century CE. The capital city, Kumbi, strategically located at the intersection of major trade routes, was a vital hub for goods' exchange throughout North Africa. The Empire grew rich from the trans-Saharan trade in gold, ivory, and salt, eventually turning into a realm of legendary wealth. Known as the “Land of Gold,” Ghana was said to possess sophisticated methods of administration and taxation and control over the well-concealed gold mines.