Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali (Book Review)

Willy Martinez

Dec 11

Sundiata is a captivating literary work that deserves your attention for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich oral tradition and history of West Africa, particularly the legendary tale of the great Mali Empire. Through its engaging narrative, Sundiata transports readers to a world of ancient customs, heroic tales, and cultural values that have shaped the region for centuries.

Secondly, Sundiata is a powerful coming-of-age story that resonates with universal themes of perseverance, identity, and triumph over adversity. The protagonist, Sundiata, undergoes a remarkable journey from being a physically disabled child to becoming a legendary warrior and the founder of the Mali Empire. His story is an inspiration to all, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and the potential for greatness within us.

I give it a 5 out of 5 Coffee mugs!

Sundiata Book Summary

The tale of Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, is told through the African tradition of oral storytelling. This Epic takes place in Mali around Sundiata's rule from 1230 – 1255. This history is told by a griot so that it can be relayed to the many other griots in Africa, which are "the counsellors of kings, they conserved the constitution of kingdoms by memory work alone" (7).

Each royal family had their own griot to preserve their traditions and instruct their master about how past kings have ruled and the communities endeavors. In this story, the narrating griot begins the story with a superstitious tale, and then Sundiata's childhood and his upbringing.

The superstitious tradition begins with a hunter prophesizing to the King, Maghan that his next heir to the throne will come from an ugly woman. This woman, Sologon, was so ugly that her first owner turns her away. The community believes him because the Hunters of "Sangaran are the best soothsayers" (4). We learn that Sundiata's mother, Sogolon Kedjou, deals with many problems in Sundiata's early ages of life. Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali (Book Summary)

After Sogolon becomes pregnant, she is discriminated against by another wife because her son was next in line to be king, but Sogolon's child was prophesized to rule next. She is worried that Sogolon's son will replace her soon as successor to the throne. Growing up as a child, Sundiata was ridiculed as well as his mother because Sundiata was crippled, he couldn't walk.

After his mother was ridiculed and socially outcast by the king's first wife, she asked for some baobab leaves from a nearby tree. When Sundiata learned about his mother's sadness and embarrassment of him, he strapped two iron braces to his legs, and finally stood up.

He then proceeded to a baobab tree outside their house to show off his new strength as well as show the community that he can help his mother just like any other boy, except better. He made a decision to learn to walk and to be strong. This was a symbol to the rest of the community of Sundiata's strength and reinforced his prophecy. The opinions about Sundiata changed in everyone's eyes as they began to realize that the prophecy was true and Sundiata was destined to become a powerful and important man.

This incident would lead to the king's first wife's actions, who would then hire and develop a plot with nine witches on how to defeat Sundiata. When the witches attempt to carry out their plan of stealing food from Sundiata, they change their minds due to Sundiata's kindness: one of the witches reveals their plans, "We had come here to test you. We have no need of condiments, but your generosity disarms us" (26).

Another incident during Sundiata's youth was when his griot, Balla Fasseke was taken away from him. The event of Sundiata losing his own griot was devastating to his agency and information about and over the community. Sassouma, the king's first wife manages to plot against Sundiata and his mother after the death of the King. Sundiata and his family are tricked into exile for 7 years.

During his exile, hospitality becomes a factor because the rulers of other lands receive Sundiata well during these times. This would later help Sundiata rule his lands; he was beginning to develop friendly relationships with other lands. During his exile, the son of the kings first wife, Soumaoro takes rule of the land and is said to have ruled tyrannically applies too much physical agency on his peoples.

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.

Sundiata returns to Mali to reclaim his succession to the throne and liberate his people from the wicked despot. Soumaoro was known to be a heavy handed sorcerer King with an instrument which "the effect his music had had on the strange inhavitants of this shoulish chamber" (39). Sundiata grows a military movement and attacks the evil king's forces and thus, "Sundiata was in the middle of the Sossos like a lion in the sheepfold" (49). Soumaoro's troops retreat in battle and words soon spreads in Mail of Sundiata's return.

Sundaita finally defeats his adversary with the help of the local villagers who joined his army also by the help of his allies that he accrued during his exile. Upon Sundiata's return, he tells his people "I have come back, and as long as I breathe Mali will never be in thrall – rather death than slavery. We will live free because our ancestors lived free" (56).

Thank you for visiting with us. For more poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual.