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Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali Study Guide

by Anonymous - Sundiata

Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali study guide contains literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The epic of Sundiata is told by the griot Djeli Mamadou Kouyaté. His purpose is to tell of how the Mali Empire was founded by the great hero, and so he begins with details of Sundiata's ancestors.

Sundiata's father, Maghan Kon Fatta, was king of the city of Niani. One day, a soothsaying hunter foretells that he will give birth to a great ruler by marrying an ugly woman. Later, two hunters bring a woman to offer as his wife, and he sees this is the foretold woman, Sogolon. The hunters earned her by defeating a monstrous buffalo that was terrorizing a land far away. Through showing kindness to an old woman, they were taught the secret of the buffalo and then given their choice of woman by the king whose realm was being terrorized. The old…

Read the full Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali Summary

• Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali Summary
• About Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Preface
• Summary and Analysis of The Words of the Griot Mamadou Kouyaté
• Summary and Analysis of The First Kings of Mali
• Summary and Analysis of The Buffalo Woman
• Summary and Analysis of The Lion Child and Childhood
• Summary and Analysis of The Lion's Awakening
• Summary and Analysis of Exile
• Summary and Analysis of Soumaoro Kanté, the Sorcerer King, History, and The Baobab Leaves
• Summary and Analysis of The Return and The Names of the Heroes
• Summary and Analysis of Nana Triban and Balla Fasséké and Krina
• Summary and Analysis of The Empire, Kouroukan Fougan or The Division of the World, Niani, and Eternal Mali
• About the Epic Form
• Related Links on Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali: Major Themes
• Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali: Essays
• Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali: Questions
• Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Anonymous - Sundiata: Biography