Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, Longman African Writers Series

This is a great read, and I would encourage anyone who is interested about African oral history, to read Sundiata. It reflects the rich oral tradion that so greatly defines African culture. This is an epic about a cripple who becomes an Emperor (to put very simply). A great Hero Story.

I am adding the following in hopes it may be of help to someone: Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali FROM THE PUBLISHER Retold by generations of griots-the guardians of African culture-this oral tradition has been handed down from thirteenth century and captures all the mystery and majesty of medieval African kingship. It is an epic tale-part history, part legend-which should rank alongside the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey' as one of the world's great adventure stories.

Sundiata is an epic of Old Mali. It talks about Sundiata who "was great among kings, he was peerless among men; he was beloved of God because he was the last of the great conquerors" (2). The events of this story seem to be exaggerated because they pictured Sundiata as a supernatural person, with supernatural powers. The writer mixed the true and exaggerated events in a very smart way that made the story seem not fictional but more or less true. This exaggerated story show that the prophetic words of the hunters were real and that Sundiata is a complete and unique person. He had a unique mother, a strange birth, a weird childhood, a great struggle, a supernatural power, a great mind, an unlimited kindness, and justice. He combined all the characteristics that people wish to have. Not to forget that if the characteristics of Sundiata were not exaggerated, the story would not have lasted over all these years and he would have been forgotten. This story is a great mean through which you can learn about the traditions and values of Old Mali. Through this story you can learn about the system of Kingship. You can also learn about the family system and the bonds that tie them. I rarely read; however, I finished reading this story in one setting because it is very interesting and it was able to transfer me to a different world. The details of the settings and events made it so easy for me to picture myself on the battlefields, and among the travelers, etc... For all the reasons stated above, I really recommend reading Sundiata and enjoying the great suspense and interesting events. I am sure that through this book you will acquire a new valuable experience.Enjoy it.

It is amazing how the author re-discovered such a far-away subject, revitalizing it and bringing it back to our days and our society, in a way that will be fascinating and enjoyable for the average reader. Had it not been for the book, who would ever hope to find such fascinating epic in the tradition of old Mali ? The author did a great job in finding this, and putting it down on paper for posterity.