Sundiata, an Epic of Old Mali relates the story of
Sundiata (also called Son-Jara), the 13th-century
hero-king of Mali, a kingdom in West Africa. The
Sundiata is a conceptual prose rendition of the
original EPIC poem (see EPIC OF SON-JARA), written
in the Mande language. D. T. Niane, the compiler,
adopted this approach to make the story of Sundiata
more accessible to non-Mande speakers.
Niane’s translation retains the general chronology
of events as well as the main themes and ideas contained
in the original.
The book begins with the prophecy of the future
king’s birth and the meeting and marriage between
Sogolon Kunde (the Buffalo-woman) and
the then-king of Mali. Their union produces the
future king, Sundiata, who must go through a series
of tests and trials, including exile, before he
returns triumphantly as the hero after defeating
the evil king Soumaroa Kante.
The epic addresses several important themes,
including destiny, bravery, and friendship. The importance
of prophecy is emphasized in Sundiata’s
transformation from a cripple into a powerful and
remarkable king. The irreversibility of destiny is
clearly shown in the eventual reclaiming of the
Mali kingship by Sundiata, despite the many attempts
made by his enemies, among them the
wicked Sassouma, to foil his destiny.
Bravery constitutes another important theme of
the book. The young and crippled Sundiata shows
great courage and fortitude in his determination to
overcome his handicap and protect his family from
harm. He goes to battle with Soumaroa Kante, the
sorcerer king, even when he has not discovered the
secrets of the latter’s prowess.
Another major theme is friendship, represented
in the loving and sacrificial relationship between
Sundiata and his half brother Manding Bory. Because
of their close friendship, both characters are
able to survive their trials and tribulations and remain
undaunted as they resist their enemies. Sundiata
willingly goes into exile to ensure that
Manding Bory remains unharmed.
This tale, originally told by griots, or the West
African keepers of oral traditions, gives invaluable
information about not only the rich oral traditions
of West African society, but also about its history
and heroic past.
English Versions of Sundiata, an Epic
of Old Mali
The Epic of Son-Jara: A West African Tradition. Translated
by John William Johnson. Text by Fa-Digi
Sisoko. Bloomington: Indiana University Press,
1992.
Niane, D. T., Comp. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali.
Translated by G. D. Pickett. London: Longman,
1969.