Essay On The Epic Of Sundiata

The Epic of Sundiata is a story of Sundiata and the building of the Empire of Mali in the thirteenth century. Sundiata founded the Mali Empire which was located in West Africa. The empire was so important to Mali because it was the biggest trade center during that time. The Epic of Sundiata was told by Balla Fasseke, Sundiata’s griot, and begins with a foretelling story of Maghan Kon Fatta, the ruler of Mali.
The Epic of Sundiata began when a hunter comes and tells Maghan Kon Fatta that he will have a magnificent son, but only once he marries an ugly woman. Despite the fact that Maghan was already married, he thought that his empire wasn’t complete so he figured that he needed to get married again. Several years passed by when two hunters came along and presented a woman to him. The hunters earned the woman after defeating a horrific buffalo that was terrifying a land far away from Mali. They defeated the buffalo after learning the secret of the animal from being kind to an elder woman. The old woman told the men to choose the ugliest woman they saw and that’s exactly what they did. Her name was Sologon Kedjou. She was a maid who wasn’t very appealing to the eye

Maghan told Sundiata that Balla would teach him about his ancestors and the art of governing Mali according to the way his ancestors did. He says, “I have served my term and done my duty too.” (Niane 17) Balla Fasseke immediately became his best friend and played a very important role in Sundiata’s life. He saw Sundiata stand for the first time and sung out, “Take your bow, Simbon, Take your bow and let us go. Take your bow, Sogolon Djata.” (Niane 20) Balla Fasseke was with Sundiata all the time. He was practically Sundiata’s guardian angel. Not long after announcing Balla has the griot, Maghan died. His oldest son, Dankaran Touman, was appointed to have control over the