Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali (Sunjata)

Sundiata’s exile marks the wandering part of his narrative, a period of tests or trials typical of hero myths. Throughout this time Sundiata repeatedly proves himself worthy through the challenges that confront him, and kings and seers alike recognize his innate greatness. During this exile Sundiata learns the geography and history of his future empire, as well as the skills of diplomacy for which the historical Sundiata was famous. These talents will aid him later in creating military allegiances to defeat Soumaoro. This alliance-building is particularly on display in Sundiata’s pact with Fran Kamara, who agrees to make Sundiata a general. His ability to outsmart King Mansa Konkon of Djedeba at wori, and his acceptance as a leader within the heavily Islamized cultures of Ghana and Mema, also emphasizes his growth in diplomatic acumen and kingly ability. The mention of Ghana as a region of traders that is more Islamized than other areas of West Africa is true to history. Ghana was the center of the first West African empire, which flourished via trans-Saharan trade, which enabled Islam’s spread throughout the landscape.

It is important that Sundiata’s exile begins with the theft of his griot in Chapter 7. This is the metaphorical theft of Sundiata’s kingship, as king and griot are a single political entity in Mandinka culture, and Fasséké was granted to Sundiata by his father as a marker of his future rule. This indelible union between king and griot is most succinctly expressed by Fasséké later, upon his reunification with Sundiata: “I am the word and you are the deed” (58). However, Sundiata proves himself unique in his ability to handle life in exile without a griot, even composing a clairvoyant poem of his own against Mansa Konkon—poetry being a task of a griot, not a king. This again distinguishes him as an extraordinary individual.

Chapters 8 and 9 are unique in that they depart from narrating events in Sundiata’s life to instead describe the acts of Soumaoro. Chapter 8 works as a transitional event, bridging Sundiata’s childhood and exile to the period of his return. In this chapter Sundiata’s griot is stolen again, this time by Soumaoro, and in Chapter 9 Soumaoro displaces Touman as the king of Mali. In this way these chapters also mark the transition from Sundiata’s childhood rivalry with Touman to his adult rivalry with Soumaoro, who has taken Touman’s place as the king of Mali, a place that is rightfully Sundiata’s.

Unlike Touman, Soumaoro appears to be an equal to Sundiata—an emperor with his own magical powers, as Fasséké’s exploration of his hidden chamber illustrates. The subsequent theft of Fasséké intensifies a sense of rivalry between Soumaoro and Sundiata; now the two extraordinary kings are fighting over a single voice, represented by Fasséké, as well as a single kingdom.

The abduction of Fakoli’s wife in Chapter 9 is a deeply offensive act, even for a king. This is explained later in the text, as the liberated people of Mali express Soumaoro’s evil by stating that “he carried his insolence to the point of stealing the wife of his nephew Fakoli” (74). Such disrespect of those around him marks Soumaoro as not only Sundiata’s rival but also his foil, a character who highlights one character’s traits through contrasting characterization. Though both Sundiata and Soumaoro are powerful leaders capable of supernatural acts, Soumaoro’s hubris and disrespect contrasts with and serves to emphasize Sundiata’s humility and kindness.