1. Background Information And Vocabulary
Sundiata
An Epic of Old Mali
By D.T. Niane
Background Information And Vocabulary

2. D.T. Niane
1932 – present
Wrote Sundiata after listening to the stories told by Mamadou Kouyate, a griot of the Keita clan
The story was originally written in the Malinke language and was later translated so that people all over the world can profit from the griot’s wisdom
Niane’s own ancestors were griots
He has collected and told other ancient legends of Mali
His translations of the ancient oral histories are one way he affirms and preserves their value
Niane is also a respected scholar of African history

3. What is a griot?
West African storyteller and the historian for the village.
They would memorize the births, deaths, marriages, hunts, seasons, and wars of the village.
The griot would repeat what his or her ancestors had memorized and passed on, sometimes singing or speaking for many hours or even days.
Because the griot’s information was so important to the village, the griot had a high place in African society and was also a counselor and spokesperson for the king.
They have several purposes:
To inform their people about important historical events
To entertain them with exciting adventure stories
To persuade the people to behave appropriately

4. Background Information
Almost 1,000 years ago, western Africa was an unstable region. Rival kings fought for control of the land. Eventually Sumanguru, from Ghana, gained control and cruelly oppressed the Mandinka people of Mali. Just when Mali needed a leader most, the hero Sogolon-Djata (Sundiata) united his people, defeated Sumanguru, and ushered in a period of peace and prosperity.

6. Epic Conflict
A situation in which the hero struggles against an obstacle or enemy and emerges triumphant.
Through these struggles, the hero passes from childhood to adulthood or gaines some new understanding, while showing wisdom and bravery.

7. Relationship between Characters
In an epic, you can learn a lot about the hero by seeing how other characters relate to him or her
The relationship between characters underscore the obstacles that the hero must overcome.
In Sundiata, the hero shows courage in response to insults heaped on his mother by another of the king’s wives.

8. African Proverb
“Great trees grow slowly but they plunge their roots deep into the ground.” – from Sundiata

9. Vocabulary calabashes (1065) fathom (1065) taciturn (1065)
malicious (1065)
infirmity (1066)
innuendo (1066)
diabolical (1066)
estranged (1067)
soothsayers (1067)
gnougous (1069)
baobab (1069)
affront (1070)