Sundiata 's The Mali Empire

Djeli Mamoudo Kouyate is a griot in the country of Guinea, West Africa; he lives in the village of Djeliba Koro, on the Niger River, and is the main source of information for the book Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. The book focuses on the trials and tribulations of Sundiata, a legendary warrior, king, and founder of the Mali Empire; and the functions of griots in serving their king. Sundiata is born to Sogolon, and is supposed to become the king of Mali, but Sundiata cannot walk until he turns 11 years old, and his half brother, Dankaran Touman, becomes the king. Dankaran exiles Sundiata and his family, and Balla Fasseke, Sundiata's griot, prepares the family for exile. During exile, Sundiata gathered a very strong army, with dreams

an image of the role of woman in the past, and how she contributed to

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, gender plays a very significant role, because while women were not the most powerful gods nor the strongest or wisest of all humans, they still had tremendous influence over others around them, and even today, over those who study and learn about the women of the time of Mesopotamia. Though the main characters of the story, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, are male, women did not necessarily play a minor role. One particular issue that is demonstrated among several others in the Epic of Gilgamesh is the status of women. Since this is a story of women's status many years ago, it is indeed an interesting issue to discuss,

The great Machiavelli once said, "Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times." Indeed, the study of history is important as history does seem to repeat itself. Many people in today's society learn about the past from textbooks and other books, as these are of easy access. Is this really the best way to learn about the past? The people of ancient Africa did not think so, as they had special people called "griots"who passed the people's traditions and history down orally from generation to generation. One such griot, Mamadou Kouyate, recalls the story of the most famous ruler in African history, Sundiata, in D.T. Niane's book Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. This

People had seen one-eyed kings, one –armed kings, and lame kings, but a stiff –legged king had never been heard tell of. No matter how great the destiny promised for Mari Djata might be, the throne could not be given to someone who had no power in his legs; if the jinn loved him, let them begin by giving him the use of his legs.”(67). The harsh remarks to Sundiata’s mother broke her spirit, she had of her son becoming the next king of Mali despite the prophecy. At the age of seven Sundiata still crawled while the other kids his age flourished. However, all of these challenges Sundiata had to faced created his character. Sundiata’s vulnerability makes his accomplishments even more special because he was so difference from everyone else within the Mali town.

Amidst the thriving chaos of the Industrial Revolution and subsequent to the politically volatile French Revolution, Europe in the 1800s was an ever-changing realm of new systems, machines, methods of transportation, ideas, and leaders. Those leaders faced a plethora of challenges both internally and externally, as both their subjects and other countries were angry with them for various reasons. One of the problems these rulers faced was the matter of imperial power on other continents. So, the more relevant European leaders met at the Berlin Conference to decide what each country was allowed to colonize. In doing so, the rulers they legalized the Scramble for Africa, therefore allowing colonization

Another important role in this epic was the importance of long distance trade. After the exile of Sundiata it gives him a chance to learn about the trade routes and people of his region. An example of this long distance trade was in the chapter of The Baobab Leaves. Sundiata's sister, Kolonkan, now of a marriageable age took on the role in society as a woman. “She was at the market she noticed a woman who was offering for sale nofiola, and gnougou, condiments unknown to the people of Mema” (Sundiata, 43).

After the marriage of Sogolon and Maghan Kon Fatta, the king of Niani, the king arises from deep sleep one night and attempts to find a message in divining sand. That doesn’t work, so he decides to meditate until a vision comes to him. After deep meditation, Maghan takes his sword and his wife and tells her that he misunderstood the prophecy. She is the virgin that he was meant to sacrifice, and not the wife meant to bear his child. In great fear, Sogolon faints and releases her wraith. Therefore, the blood of a virgin was shed. Maghan consummates the marriage that night, and Sogolon awakes “already a wife” and conceived Sundiata that

The story of the Sky Woman, her daughter and twin grandsons depicts the beginning of the world and creates the belief that everyone is born with good and evil in them. The significance of nature influences how the Native Americans belief that nature, animals, and humans are equal counterparts. If it had not been for the help of the animals, Sky Woman would have died and the creation of earth would not exist. The twins play a significant role among the Iroquois that the good and evil are necessary for the world to be in balance. The belief that Sky Woman is the leader of all female life who “controls the rise and fall of the waters and a companion to the stars” (Olan, n.d.) and “regulates the monthly cycles of all females in which guarantees new life will be born” (Olan, n.d.). The myth signifies the Native American belief of how the creation and reincarnation of humans connects to the rise and fall of the sun and moon.

What if women ruled the world? The question does not seem so strange today as it may have back in 2500 B.C.E., an age when people tell stories of the Great King of Uruk--Gilgamesh. Although the story of “Gilgamesh” revolves around themes of masculinity and brotherhood--with its male prerogative, its composers develop several strong female characters which suggest women have great influence in a male-dominated, Mesopotamian society.

To begin with, the epic in fact is related by a man, and there is not one indication of any woman griots anywhere within the novel. Right after a recitation of the kings of Mali leading up to Maghan Kon Fatta (Sundiata's father), a female character is mentioned for the first time: "Oh that woman! She is ugly, she is hideous, and she bares on her back a disfiguring hump. Her monstrous eyes seem to have been merely laid on her face, but, mystery of mysteries, this is the woman you must marry, sire, for she will be the mother of him who will make the name of Mali immortal forever" (Sundiata, 6). Seemingly right after the first female character is introduced, she is "picked apart" describing her physical appearance, and then to her what would be future roles of wife and mother. Admittedly, the prior is certainly to provide contrast

Consider how Africa’s geography has changed over time. What positive and negative effects would these changes have had on human populations on the continent? As their new homes changed they were able to adapt due to their innovative mindset. This can be attributed to the new found organization thanks to language. Allowing Africans to grow and expand throughout the entire continent. Other factors that can be attributed are the change in geography for some parts such as the Sahara drying out and swamps and lakes disappeared.

In addition to providing guidance, women also play powerful roles. Take Shamhat for example. She uses the power of sex and curiosity to lure Enkidu away from his wild environment. After having sex for seven days and seven nights, Enkidu was no longer able to return to live amongst the animals and was forced to learn the ways of civilized life, which Shamhat taught him. It is easy to see that at this point in the epic, Shamhat clearly possessed the upper hand over Enkidu. He

the Goddess believed that the women were good and should be the leaders of the

If we analyse the legends of the Amazons told in Chapter 2 and considering the fact that Africans are attached to their glorious past, we can put forward that the inner-power in woman are strongly attached to these values which have been transmitted from generations to generations.