Sundiata Essay Research Paper The epitome of

Sundiata Essay, Research Paper

The epitome of oral history, this “speaking document”, that is part history and part legend, is an epic tale about Sundiata and his prophesized uniting of the twelve kingdoms of Mali into a single powerful empire. Retold by generations of griots – the guardians of African Culture – this oral tradition has been handed down from the thirteenth century and captures all the mystery and majesty of medieval African kingship. The son of

Sogolon, the hunchback princess, and Maghan, known as “the handsome”, Sundiata grew up to fulfill the prophesies of the soothsayers that he would unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali into one of the most powerful empires ever known in Africa, which at its peak stretched right across the savanna belt from the shores of the Atlantic to the dusty walls of Timbuktu.

A griot is an artist from West Africa (other areas of Africa have different types of oral artists) who preserves culture, history, music and genealogy, among other things through the performance of oral art, or what Ong would call “verbal art.” This art often involves three aspects: the telling of the story (narration), recitation of genealogies and moral proverbs, and singing of lyrics, usually to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument, sometimes called the kora. The griot goes back many centuries. Griots often were affiliated with royal families. Their function was to preserve the traditions and

history of a particular family or group of people. Their office was a peculiar one, and they were often considered a separate caste, into which succeeding lines of griots were born. Griots are still very much a part of many West African societies.

The Epic of Sundiata is an oral epic from Old Mali, which came into being around 1237 AD. The empire of Old Mali extended from the coast of modern-day Senegal to the Niger River. Djeriba was the capital. The Epic tells the story of Sundiata, the first king of Mali, who leads a revolt against the king of the empire of Ghana (350 AD – 1240 AD), which was one of the first great trading empires of medieval West Africa. Around 1464 AD, the empire of Old Mali broke up into smaller states, which were absorbed into the Songhay Empire. The Songhay Empire existed from approximately 1464 until 1640 AD, when invaders from Morocco overtook some areas of the empire. Around this time the Atlantic Slave trade had begun, and the effects of the trade on West Africa especially, were devastating.

The Epic of Sundiata may be considered representative of a genre of oral epics. The oral epic has a rich tradition in Africa, along with other oral art, such as poems, myths, and legends. Europeans and Africans who hope to preserve the richness of African traditions have written many of these forms of oral art down.

King of Mali named Maghan Kon Fatta. He was a loved king, adored by all of his people. A hunter from out of town came to Maghan, asking the king to marry a woman. The hunter replied that it was a woman, Sogolon, who would bear him a son named Sundiata. Although Sogolon had a hideous appearance, the king listened to the hunter with interest, for the Malians believed in fate and destiny. “This boy,” stated the hunter, “will have the wonderful fate of being the greatest king ever to rule Mali!” The king pondered the idea, and then accepted. “I will marry this woman who will bear me the great king Sundiata!” The marriage was held between Maghan Kon Fatta and the woman Sogolon. Sogolon was very ugly indeed yet the king knew the hunter’s words were important. Soon after, a son was born to the happy couple. He was promised a great son that would grow up one day to be a great ruler. The king agreed to this and married Sogolon and had a son named Sundiata.

As the years went by, Maghan and Sogolon grew very proud of their little Sundiata, except there was one problem– the boy could not walk! His parents became worried because surely a boy who cannot walk cannot be destined for greatness! As more years passed by and Sundiata grew to the age of seven, his father grew to be very sick. Maghan knew that his time would soon end, and so he sent for his favorite son Sundiata. Maghan was getting ill and gave his son Sundiata his kingdom to rule. As soon as Maghan died, his first wife stepped in. Her name was Sassouma, and she was a very evil woman with a devious plan. My son Dankaran Touman deserves the throne, because he is the eldest!” Sassouma did not care for her late husband’s wishes of Sundiata becoming king, and she expressed this regularly, always tearing the poor child about his unworthy legs. Because of her jealousy, she banished Sundiata and Sogolon to a small hut at the edge of the palace.

The evil wife remained a threat to Sogolon and her child until one day when Sundiata was sitting in the yard where Sassouma had banished him and his mother, and heard his mother weeping. “Mother, why are you crying.” he inquired. “Sundiata,

you must know that I love you dearly, but I am worried about your future. You are a strong boy and have a great heart, but your legs have allowed Sassouma to take control. We cannot allow her son to take the throne your father’s wishes are for you to rule his kingdom!” Sundiata felt sad because of his mother’s feelings, and he then made a decision that would change the rest of his life. I am going to walk today!” Sundiata was very determined to w