Artists and Society

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In D. T. Niane's version of Sundiata, the narrator, griot Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate, highlights the significance of the oral historian's role as a central theme. A key figure in the narrative is Sundiata's griot, Balla Fasseke. The story begins with griot Kouyate asserting his authority to recount this epic tale. Just before the main battle, the griot pauses again to emphasize the vital role of oral historians in maintaining the culture and history of his society. The significance of tradition and the griot's duty in safeguarding memory stands out as a principal focus in Sundiata.

Physical Appearance

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Sogolon, the mother of Sundiata, is regarded as the least attractive woman in her village. When hunters select her as their bride, the villagers mock them. Despite her appearance, Sogolon is destined to give birth to Mali's greatest ruler. Her lack of beauty makes her an unexpected choice for the king, but the prophecies about her child outweigh societal opinions. Sogolon becomes the king's most significant wife. She also demonstrates intelligence, insight, and excellent parenting skills.

Coming of Age

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The initial segment of this epic explores Sundiata's journey, both physical and spiritual, as he matures from a boy into a man. Although Sundiata possesses the inherent strength of a ruler, as foretold before his birth, he must undergo several transformations to seize that authority. Initially, he must learn to walk and lead his peers in traditional pursuits like hunting. Born with a disability, he discovers the inner strength to rise and walk to defend his mother's honor. Forced to flee his homeland by his half-brother's mother, Sundiata must acquire the skills of a warrior and master the etiquette of foreign courts. He excels in hunting, and his prowess in battle earns him the admiration of a foreign king who treats the exiled prince as his own. When summoned to lead his people during a crisis, Sundiata must leave his comfortable life behind and take on the mantle of leadership. Ultimately, Sundiata learns when to take a decisive stand, as demonstrated on the battlefields of Krina. Through this journey, he emerges as a strong and wise warrior-king, admired by all. This king will lay the foundation for the administrative and justice systems of the vast Mali Empire.

Limitations and Opportunities

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Born with a disability that hinders his ability to walk, Sundiata appears far from the great leader that soothsayers have predicted. His father is skeptical about whether a boy who cannot walk could be the prophesied savior of the Malinke people. Sundiata must overcome not only his physical limitations but also the belief that these make him unfit to rule.

Although Sundiata earns immediate recognition and ascends to the throne of Mali after defeating the tyrant Soumaoro, his enduring legacy lies in establishing a system of governance and justice for his expansive kingdom. Sundiata's greatest strength is rooted in his inner resolve.

Mystery and Intrigue

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Sassouma Berete, the first wife of Mali's King Maghan Kon Fatta, constantly schemes against Sundiata, casting a shadow over his early years. Due to the threat posed by Sassouma, Sundiata and his family are forced to flee their home. However, even from afar, Sassouma continues to endanger him by offering bribes to those around him to eliminate Sundiata. Despite her relentless efforts to ruin him, her own son's lack of courage eventually leaves the throne of Mali open for Sundiata to claim following his triumph over Soumaoro.

Magic and the Supernatural

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Magic and supernatural elements surround Sundiata even before his birth. Prophets foresee the details of his lineage and birth, predicting that he will eventually become the ruler of Mali. Sundiata's parents are united through the hunters of a mystical buffalo, and his mother...

(This entire section contains 121 words.)

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gains the spirit and strength of this buffalo in a magical way.

To prevent Sundiata's foretold destiny and ensure her own son inherits the throne, Sassouma employs witches to use supernatural methods to eliminate him. However, her scheme backfires because their dark powers are ineffective against someone with a genuinely pure and virtuous heart. The sorcerer-king Soumaoro draws his wicked power from a room filled with magical fetishes, but Sundiata ultimately defeats him with the help of magic.

Strength and Weakness

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The epic challenges conventional views of strength and vulnerability. Despite the buffalo devastating the lands of Do, the hunters' hospitality and kindness to an elderly woman reveal the buffalo's weakness, allowing them to defeat it effortlessly. Similarly, when Sassouma Berete dispatches Mali's most formidable witches to assassinate him, Sundiata's compassion renders them powerless and unwilling to harm him. The kings who show kindness to Sundiata and his family during their exile are rewarded by becoming allies of his mighty kingdom once he ascends the throne of Mali. The sorcerer Soumaoro draws significant power from his sinister charms, yet a mere scratch from a magical arrow is sufficient to render him helpless. In Sundiata, immense power is often subdued by simple acts of kindness.

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