Sundiata
The epic of Sundiata begins with the introduction of the griot, and narrator Mamadu Kouyate. Throughout the epic, the importance of the griot is stressed numerous times. When speaking of griots Mamadu Kouyate states that, "we are the repositories which harbor secrets many centuries old. The art of eloquence has no secrets for us; without us the names of kings would vanish into oblivion, we are the memory of mankind..." (Niane). It was through oral reciting that the epic was passed along for generations. Though in today's society, information has taken on new mediums, it is just as important to the culture of today as it was to the culture of the Mandingo . Cultures change, but many of the things that comprise them remain constant. One of the elements of culture that has changed very little in value is religion. One can derive from the epic the importance of religion to the people of the Keita Dynasty . Specifically, the religions of Islam and Traditional African Religion are alluded to throughout the epic. In one of the first references to the Islamic religion Sogolon Kedjon, Sundiata's mother, states that "the fortified town of Sosso was the bulwark of fetishism against the word of A
Roth, Ronica. "Mali's boy-king," in Humanities, Vol. 19, No.4 (Jul/Aug 1998), p. 29. science in the teaching of world studies," in Social Studies, Vol. 84, No. 2 The culture of old Mali has now since passed away. It reached its zenith under the rule of Mansa Kankan Musa in the early 1300's. After the rule of Mansa Kankan Musa, the Kingdom of Mali was slowly chipped away until the ruler of Morocco sent in an army in 1591 to destroy what remained of old Mali. None-the-less, much of the culture lives on through The Epic of Sundiata. Many of the ideals in the epic can still be identified with in today's culture. Many children, including "Malian children generally enjoy hearing about the period of exile, which is a happy time that includes adventures, such as seeing the sights of the old imperial capital, having an audience with the ruler of Ghana at Wagadu" (Roth 79). In addition, many of the elements of the epic that gave it appeal hundreds of years ago still give it appeal today; it is what makes the epic great. The timeless themes of adventure and conquest are what capture one's interest even today in the mediums of movies and televisions. It is partially these elements that have allowed the Epic of Sundiata and the cultural values of old Mali to endure time, and the extinction of the griot. Levtzion, Nehemia. Ancient Ghana and Mali. London: Methuen, 1973. A very large part of Traditional African Religion in old Mali is predestination of fate. The narrator does not allow one to forget the ever important role that destiny plays in the story. The griot states in the epic that "each man finds his way already marked out for him and he can change nothing of it" (Niane 15). It is this belief that encompasses The Epic of Sundiata. Knowledge of his destiny gives Sundiata the strength to persevere during hardship, and the ability to discount the confidence of his opponents as quixotic misguidance. In doin
Some common words found in the essay are:
Epic Sundiata, Sundiata Keita, Kon Fatta, Allah Niane, Mamadu Kouyate, Wagadu Roth, Religion Mali, Women Islamic, Touman Soumaoro, Mandingo Cultures, epic sundiata, throughout epic, traditional african, traditional african religion, late epic, rule mansa, african religion, physical strength, nationalistic feelings, strength woman, rule mansa kankan, mansa kankan musa, culture mali,
Approximate Word count = 1304
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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