Topics for Further Study

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The griot holds a significant position in Malinke society, crucial for preserving and evolving the oral narratives of epics like Sundiata. Identify one or more sections from Sundiata where the griot's craft is highlighted. Compare this portrayal with the role of historians in American or European cultures.

Investigate the theme of friendship within the epic. Who are the key pairs of friends? What qualities are valued in these friendships? How do these relationships assist Sundiata in fulfilling his fate?

Animal imagery is pivotal in the epic. How does this imagery enhance your understanding of the story? Provide examples from both this work and twentieth-century literature or films.

At the conclusion of the text, Sundiata divides his empire into regions. Compare his approach to governance and justice with that of modern-day Mali or your own country.

Most women in Sundiata are characterized by their connections to men, with their significance largely tied to their influence on male figures. Are any female characters in the epic defined independently? Examine the differences between the status of women in thirteenth-century Mali and late twentieth-century America. Is it ever suitable to apply the values of one culture to the literature of another? Can a contemporary American or European student find value in a work of art from a vastly different culture?

Contrast the storyline of the Disney animated film The Lion King with that of Sundiata. Discuss the similarities and differences between the thirteenth-century epic and the 1994 animated movie.

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