The Epic Story of Sundiata: Oral Tradition, Fate, Praise, and Blame

Epic Story of Sundiata
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Oral traditions are communication of old folk tales, fables and epic story conveyed verbally from one generation to another. The rich legacy of tradition community is communicated by being passed down through speech or song. Oral tradition is major and important in African tradition mainly because the traditional story tellers were unable to invent an alphabet to use in the art of reading Zewde (pg 145-156). The power and importance of spoken word within the Africa tradition are expressed more in Sundiata, commonly stated as an Epic of Old Mali. This epic of old Mali is majorly known as African traditional story that is spread through the word of mouth and its spread in the generation of Griots. This Paper will suggest about the role of community in a culture that uses oral transmission of message and how is the role of community manifested in the events recounted in the epic of Mali. Also, the paper will focus on Sundiata the man who was destined to be a great king of Mali. In His story, the paper will argue if he deserved credit for becoming King and fulfilling His destiny. Finally, the paper will look at destiny or fate, idea that the contemporary world has downplayed. The paper will look at internal and external factors that play a role in facilitating destiny.
An Epic of Old Mali is a story explaining the journey of Sundiata, king who is known as the founder of Mali Empire. This famous epic of Sundiata, is mainly recognized in Africa and spread through the use of African oral tradition through generations of griots. Griots in the history of Mali are known as story teller, they are also known to pass the story of history from one generation of griots to the other. They were also known to be working for the kings in those medieval times mostly as advisors, hence holding high position in the society. Griots were and are still known to have a great passion for music. This important skill of transmitting oral story through music was significant in explaining the culture and major events that happened during the life and time of Sundiata. Carr (2107).
One of the major roles of griots was to know the history of the king, this was important because out the history the griots were able to tell the king in power of the battles of his ancestors , so that the king will be able to know of his capability and be inspired before the battles. King Meghan who was then the king Mali had of a prophesy that he must marry a ugly woman in order to give him the next king; and the king would be a great king. The Epic book talks about a prophesy told to King Meghan, the messenger was prophet who just a sojourner and went ahead and married ugly woman who was brought by two hunters, the name of the ugly woman was Sogolon. King married her and they gave birth to Sundiata. The griots played a major part in this great event as they sang and told the story of celebration when Sogolon first arrived in the town of Nianiba illustrated pg 21 of the Epic of Sundiati. The events during this time of prophesy informs that the ancient community believed much in prophesies, a fact that is demonstrated by King Meghan himself when he went and married a ugly woman as act of believe. Jan Jansen(Pg 14-56...