Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine Epic from West African Oral Tradition, November 11, 2000
Read the 84 pages of this text, and you've read a fine piece of West African literature remembered by poets since the 1300's. Read the eleven pages of Niane's insightful notes following this, and you've taken a crash course in the West African tribal/clan system. This epic seeks to explain the creation of the Malian empire of Timbuktu fame. Sundiata's legendary rise to power is presented chapter by chapter, in a fashion that can seem somewhat episodic at times, lending to the book's strong sense of oral tradition. Oral tradition is even defended in this text, with a brief, though thorough lambast of "Other peoples [who] use writing to record the past..." <That is, Amazon.com shoppers like us!>In addition to its celebration of the adventures and eventual triumph of Sundiata, the book also tracks the adventures of Balla Fasséké, griot (royal poet) to Sundiata. As with many oral traditions from many cultures, a king without a poet to celebrate his triumphs is not much of a king. So their joint adventure, and sharing of duties, is emphasized. Other side glimpses of West African culture provided (though not emphasized) in the text include: Islamic influences, women's social status, African society before the European invasion, West African sorcery. In comparison to The Odyssey, this book will fall short for sheer reading pleasure. But it easily outstrips The Song of Roland, Gilgamesh, and The Tale of Kieu, and many another micro-sized epic. Roughly speaking, the epic Sundiata is what Beowulf would be if Beowulf the hero had any kind of human weakness or warmth or personality. Sundiata's conception, troubled childhood, young manhood, his dependence upon others for success, even his moment of confusion on the battlefield---all of this leads the reader to the obvious conclusion that greatness has less to do with one's ability to kill, and more to do with one's ability to remain hopeful in the face of adversity. Sundiata is a fitting hero for Africans, the African diaspora, and for anyone of any culture who is ready to see greatness drawn in human proportions.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sundiata: A Story Worth Reading, December 3, 2003
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.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great African Oral History, September 30, 2005
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.
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