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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
This retelling of Sundiata is short, but the story is epic in scope. Some of the musings on the nature of storytelling media are really great, and the characters populating the world are appropriately grand. This was my first experience reading old African literature.
adventurous
medium-paced
Had to read for varsity but I actually really enjoyed it. It is written beautifully and not too drawn out
This story tells of the warrior Sundiata. The back cover stated, "...should rank alongside the Iliad and the Odyssey" and I must say I agree. This shows us a part of Africa that we've not seen and also teaches us about the culture of Africa at the time. There's always something new to learn.
It is a classic epic tale - like a greek tragedy with prophesies of those destined to great things - as well as a lot of knowledge of the kingdoms of Old Mali and it's surroundings, all delivered down the years from one living history teller to the next generations.
And as a curiosity I have to mention that Sundiata and Soumaoro deklare war by sending each other talking owls (Harry Potter go home!)
It is foretold, that the king of Mali must sacrifice and a woman with a hunchback (who is not entirely human) will give him a son, who will be the greatest king. And so it happens. But the jealous first wife makes sure her son becomes king, and Sundiata and his mother and sisters become refugees. But the weak king bows to the sorcerer king Soumaoro - and Sundiata must return, be reunited with his griot, defeat the evil sorcerer and unite Old Mali...
And as a curiosity I have to mention that Sundiata and Soumaoro deklare war by sending each other talking owls (Harry Potter go home!)
It is foretold, that the king of Mali must sacrifice and a woman with a hunchback (who is not entirely human) will give him a son, who will be the greatest king. And so it happens. But the jealous first wife makes sure her son becomes king, and Sundiata and his mother and sisters become refugees. But the weak king bows to the sorcerer king Soumaoro - and Sundiata must return, be reunited with his griot, defeat the evil sorcerer and unite Old Mali...
¨Sundiata rests near Niani-Niani, but his spirit lives on, and today the Keitas still come and bow before the stone under which lies the father of Mali.¨
And indeed, perhaps that spirit of his is also alive in this translation...why, it certainly felt like it.
And indeed, perhaps that spirit of his is also alive in this translation...why, it certainly felt like it.
Sundiata is the national myth of Mali, much as Arthur is the subject of the Matter of Britain, Charlemagne the Matter of France and King Gesar the Tibetan myth. One of the fascinating things about these myths are how similar they are.
Sundiata’s birth this a consequence of sorcery and transformation much like King Arthur and Gesar’s. His mother is the ugly woman found in many fairy and folk tales - though in this case she is not evil and doesn’t become beautiful.
Like Gesar, Sundiata spends his youth being a figure of ridicule, because Sundiata can’t walk. Then the time comes and Sundiata gets up, rips a tree from its roots and delivers it to his mother. Also like Gesar (and sort of Arthur) he is exiled, where he wanders and learns the skills needed to rule.
As he returns, he gathers allies and fights off the evil wizard King of the Soso and gains his land. He then has a gathering where he divides his rights and responsibilities, founds a capital and rules in wisdom. Unlike Gesar and Arthur, this version doesn’t have a downfall - he is more like Gilgamesh, another King of legend, who learns how to rule well.
While there are elements of magic, I was surprised how grounded Sundiata is to some of these other myths. Although he does have personal strength and powerful allies, the battle scenes do not focus on metaphor or splendour but have a historical feel to them. They describe terrain, units and strategy so you know exactly how Sundiata uses his resources to gain victory.
One of the big differences, however, was the role of the Griot - although like a bard, is keeper of all records - and does not give out information gladly but jealously guards it. I found that interesting, closer to the original Celtic ideas of bardic tradition and less like todays storytellers.
What Sundiata taught me, is that nations and national myths show us more of our similarities then our differences and I could get caught up with the tale of an ancient Malinka Mansa just as much as I could a modern, European hero.
Sundiata’s birth this a consequence of sorcery and transformation much like King Arthur and Gesar’s. His mother is the ugly woman found in many fairy and folk tales - though in this case she is not evil and doesn’t become beautiful.
Like Gesar, Sundiata spends his youth being a figure of ridicule, because Sundiata can’t walk. Then the time comes and Sundiata gets up, rips a tree from its roots and delivers it to his mother. Also like Gesar (and sort of Arthur) he is exiled, where he wanders and learns the skills needed to rule.
As he returns, he gathers allies and fights off the evil wizard King of the Soso and gains his land. He then has a gathering where he divides his rights and responsibilities, founds a capital and rules in wisdom. Unlike Gesar and Arthur, this version doesn’t have a downfall - he is more like Gilgamesh, another King of legend, who learns how to rule well.
While there are elements of magic, I was surprised how grounded Sundiata is to some of these other myths. Although he does have personal strength and powerful allies, the battle scenes do not focus on metaphor or splendour but have a historical feel to them. They describe terrain, units and strategy so you know exactly how Sundiata uses his resources to gain victory.
One of the big differences, however, was the role of the Griot - although like a bard, is keeper of all records - and does not give out information gladly but jealously guards it. I found that interesting, closer to the original Celtic ideas of bardic tradition and less like todays storytellers.
What Sundiata taught me, is that nations and national myths show us more of our similarities then our differences and I could get caught up with the tale of an ancient Malinka Mansa just as much as I could a modern, European hero.