Sundiata: An Epic of Old MaliThe 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. 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. It is an epic tale, part history and part legend. |
Contents
The Buffalo Woman | 4 |
The Lion Child | 12 |
The Lions Awakening | 18 |
Copyright | |
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ancestors army arrow balafon Balla Fasséké baobab baobab leaves battle brother buffalo called cavalry child Cissés Dankaran Touman destiny Diaghan diata Dioma Djallonkés Djeli Fakoli father Fran Kamara Ghana Gnankouman Doua gnougou greetings griot hand head horse horsemen hunter inhabitants jinn Ka-ba Kalabi Kamandjan Kangaba Keitas king of Ghana king of Mali king of Sibi king of Sosso king of Tabon king's kingdom Kita Kolonkan Kondé Koulikoro Kouyaté Krina land Maghan Kon Fatta Maghan Sundiata Manding Bory Mandingo Mansa Mari Djata master Mema mountain Moussa Namandjé Nana Triban Naré Maghan Niani Nianiba Niger night old Mali palace princes queen mother royal salute Sassouma Bérété Siguiri silk-cotton tree Simbon smiths sofas Sogolon Djata Sogolon Kedjou soothsayers sorcerer Sosso Balla Soumaoro Kanté spear sword Tabon Wana tam-tams took Tounkara town Traoré tribe troops village Wagadou warriors wife woman words young