Matthias Smith Professor Matt H. Brown African Studies 270 19 December 2014 Naming: The Cornerstone of Hero Identity Construction Hero identity within Bamba Suso’s The Sunjata Epic of the Mandinka People of West Africa and D.T. Niane’s Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali is the driving force that propels the hero forward in his conquest. While past scholarly research on these two epics including Siendou Konate’s “Violence in Two Epics: A Comparative Study of Chaka and Sundiata” has emphasized rites of passage on the creation of hero identity, it has neglected the importance of naming on the formation of such identity. From my reading of Sundiata and Sunjata, naming acts as a catalyst by changing the hero’s identity during transformational moments within the texts. Furthermore, the lack of attention on the way in which naming constructs the hero’s identity presents an avenue for further inquiry within both Suso and Niane’s versions of the epic. Through a literary analysis of Niane’s Sundiata and Suso’s Sunjata, I will demonstrate that the names bestowed upon Sundiata and Sunjata by their respective griots during transformational moments within the text sculpt each protagonist’s heroic identity. The heroic identity of Niane’s Sundiata is fashioned through titles prior to the story of his birth. In the opening pages of Sundiata, naming is used by griot Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate in establishing the identity of the hero. In depicting Sundiata as a "hero of many names," with names
Watching a film, one can easily recognize plot, theme, characterization, etc., but not many realize what basic principle lies behind nearly every story conceived: the hero’s journey. This concept allows for a comprehensive, logical flow throughout a movie. Once the hero’s journey is thoroughly understood, anyone can pick out the elements in nearly every piece. The hero’s journey follows a simple outline. First the hero in question must have a disadvantaged childhood. Next the hero will find a mentor who wisely lays out his/her prophecy. Third the hero will go on a journey, either literal or figurative, to find him/herself. On this journey the hero will be discouraged and nearly quit his/her quest. Finally, the
To begin, Linda Seger’s article demonstrates how the idea of a hero is universal and is defined by their journey, which is incorrect because other cultures might define a hero as something else. In her article, she tries using ten stages of how a hero is sometimes just an ordinary person. Who then takes in order
A hero is not a person with strength or a person how fight monsters. A hero is a person that inspires you to be the best you can be, a person how tells you that there is nothing in the world that you can’t do, a person how will speak to you in a different way. My hero doesn’t need strength or able to fight monster, but their able to change your life in a different way. My heroes inspire me to be the person I can be today and other every day. The people in my store inspire me to do thing I never want to do but they make me do it by changing my mind. The reason I picked these people because they don’t just inspire me they inspire other people to.
Among numerous different qualities, Sundiata an epic of old Mali is certainly an investigation of what qualities characterize Sundiata as a hero, and by augmentation, what excellencies are heroic. The most glaring is his strength. As a youngster, notwithstanding when he is disabled, unable to walk, his strong arms have the strength to pull roots from the ground. Be that as it may, when he at long last stands, he astounds everybody, bowing a tremendous pole to a bow and pulling a tree up by its foundations. Another heroic quality is
Heroes are the people who demonstrate qualities of courage or outstanding achievements and are recognized for their influence in the society. Heroic characters are defined similarly in literatures as well. In the two literatures, Sundiata An Epic of Old Mali and The Odyssey, the main characters shape the plot the stories by their heroic abilities. The literatures also tend to illustrate how heroic qualities were perceived and portrayed in societies. Both characters come from different part of the world yet their plots are similar to each other. The protagonist from two literatures is on a quest to go home and to claim their ancestors’ throne, which is righteously theirs.
Throughout Washington Post Journalist David Betancourt’s article “He came to D.C. from Nigeria; created his own African comic book world,” Roye Okupe experiences, but eventually overcomes, adversity in making his dream a reality. In the status quo, when one forms a perception of a hero in his mind, rarely is that said image portrayed as a black figure. Dissatisfied with this stereotype, Okupe begins developing his own African American superhero character following his completion of education in computer science and animation. It was not an easy beginning because in today’s society full of constantly judging individuals and rhetorical fireballs, it is always difficult to be a leader with a new idea. The
Sogolon goes to exile so as to secure the lives of her kids. The reality that she keeps on moving from one place to another looking for protection of her kids qualifies her as the craftswoman of her son’s development as well as grooming to the throne. Even though Sogolon was a more powerful woman than her husband the king, she was ready to suffer in order that her kids, particularly Sundiata can gain from her selflessness, submission and humility. The surname of Sogolon which is ‘Diarra’ as well refers to a lion. All through the epic Sundiata is defined time and again through his mother. He is continuously called ‘Sondjata’ or ‘Sundiata’ or even ‘Sogolon Djata’ which are all used interchangeably to mean ‘Sogolon son’. There is no describing Sundiata the hero apart from through his mother (Sogolon Jansen & Henk,
In the novel Segu, Maryse Conde beautifully constructs personal and in depth images of African history through the use of four main characters that depict the struggles and importance of family in what is now present day Mali. These four characters and also brothers, by the names of Tiekoro, Siga, Naba, and Malobali are faced with a world changing around their beloved city of Bambara with new customs of the Islamic religion and the developing ideas of European commerce and slave trade. These new expansions in Africa become stepping stones for the Troare brothers to face head on and they have brought both victory and heartache for them and their family. These four
The world of ancient Africa is a foreign one to many who do not live on the continent. The concept that Africa was once rather like Europe in its many medieval kingdoms, and their upheavals and struggles to be the greatest power, is not widely considered by the general population. Ancient Africa was a place of great tales, heroes, and conquests however. The memories of these still linger even today. The storytellers of Africa are griots. They are a mysterious group, who hold the legends and history of Africa, and orally pass them down father to son through the generations. One of these great stories is the Epic of Sundiata. Maghan Mari Djata, commonly known as Sundiata or Sundiata Keita, was a prince of the state Mail, who created the empire of
The sacred traditions, customs, and beliefs of ancient Mali is a story of epic proportions. To retrieve the great lineage of the First Kings of Mali and learn the history behind certain rituals told by an exquisite narrative that is perfectly woven together through different stories. The legend of Sundiata stresses the importance of understanding and respecting one’s history. In D. T. Niane’s “Sundiata An Epic of Old Mali,” the African history of Mali is presented through tribal customs, honor, and jealousy between brothers.
Heroism and the concept of a hero have been subject to many changes, especially with respect to changes over time and in terms of how heroism is viewed by different cultures. The thing being explored in this chapter, primarily through the analysis of major heroic archetypes and characters, is how the ancient Indian heroic society takes the ideas of heroism, with specific focus on the epic poem ‘The Ramayana’. Along with the examining of the major characterstics of heroic archetypes, specifically the hero who works with a partner or companion, the hero who works alone and the figure of the hero who plays a background role in the context of the epic, there will also be a brief focus on the importance of the ability of
Oral histories may come in many forms. Music depicting a decade long war, or nighttime stories warning children from the animals of the night around them, as well as epics chronicling the rise of a great king. Sudiata: An Epic of Old Mali gives a glimpse into many aspects about the ideals, beliefs, values and culture of the people who originally told the story. Concerning the values of Mali, the characteristics the teller’s portray for their king are telling about what is considered necessary qualities for a good king and warrior. Sundiata was born crippled, unable to walk, but showed incredible strength in his arms early in life, a sign for the strength he would grow into later. He also demonstrates enormous skill and bravery in battle, qualities deemed ideal in a warrior. A good warrior is not the only characteristic seen as definitive for Sundiata, but also a
For their respective cultures these epic heroes served as role models for what their citizenry was to strive to become, and their ancient journey’s still contain teachable lessons for today. Although, everyone can’t be the type of heroes that are displayed in these epics; I’m never going to be a military captain, found my own nation, or be the king of some domain. The characteristics that they display are translatable but are not always universally applicable to every situation. Although, I’ve learned we can always choose to do what we consider right or wrong. It doesn’t matter if our legacy is eternal, nor should we consider
The Sundiata Epic narrates the story of the titular hero who founded the Mali Empire. It is an epic poem traditionally spoken aloud, with D.T. Niane publishing a written version in French in 1960, and a version in English following in 1965. The epic tells the story of how Sundiata “became the father of Mali and gave the world peace.” Though Sundiata’s bravery and generosity must be acknowledged, the fact that we still remember him today owes just as much if not more to the griots who tell his story, as well as the importance the epic places on recognizing diverse contributions.
Sundiata an epic of old Mali is a story about Sundiata Keita who was the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa. This story is an oral tale of a young king’s rise to power and is narrated by Djeli Mamoudo Kouyate’ who was a griot or traditional storyteller. Griots are known to be ancient historians, keeping track of their culture and passing down this information which lasts, generation after generation. In Sundiata an epic, Kouyate’ expresses how important it is to the Malinke culture to preserve this oral history. “I teach kings the history of their ancestors so that the lives of the ancients might serve them as an example, for the world is old, but the future springs from the past” says Kouyate’ ( 1 ). Preserving Malinke culture and history was ideal in teaching the younger generation of their rich heritage and what it means to live the life of a Malinke.