Sundiata an Epic of Old Mali

by Niane, D T

• ISBN13: 9781405849425
• ISBN10: 1405849428
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-18
• Publisher: Pearson K12

Summary

This is a revision of Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, a best seller for 30 years. Retold by 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 the epic tale, based on an actual figure, of Sundiata (Sunjata). Part history and part legend, it tells how Sundiata fulfilled the prophesies that he would unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali into a powerful empire.This Revised Edition includes background information which provides a geographical, religious, social, and political context for the story. A ‘who's who of characters' and ‘a glossary of places' will enhance the reader's experience.

Author Biography

Born in Guinea, author and playwright Djibril Tamsir Niane is a descendant of griots – African oral historians/storytellers.  He translated Sundiata, as told by the griot Djeli Mamadou Kouyate, into French under the title Soundjata ou Epoque Mandiginue in 1960.  It was later translated into English by G. D. Pickett in 1965.

Table of Contents

Map

Introduction to the Revised Edition

Background Information

Geography

Religion

Society

Politics Oral Tradition, Pronunciation and Spelling Who's Who of Characters/Glossary of Places Preface

The Story of Sundiata

The Words of the Griot Mamadou Kouyatç

The First Kings of Mali

The Buffalo Woman

The Lion Child

Childhood

The Lion’s Awakening

Exile

Soumaoro Kantç: The Sorcerer King

History

The Baobab Leaves

The Return

The Names of the Heroes

Nana Triban and Balla Fassçkç

Krina

The Empire

Kouroukan Fougan or The Division of the World

Niani

Eternal Mali Author’s

Notes

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.