The Epic of Sundiata is an epic poem of the Malinke people of West Africa recounting the life of Sundiata Keita, who founded the Mali Empire and ruled it from around 1235 to 1255. Transmitted orally across generations by griots, professional Mande storytellers and historians, the epic follows Sundiata's rise from a difficult childhood to his eventual triumph through alliance building and personal resolve, structured as a classic hero's journey. It remains foundational to Mande culture and exists in multiple oral variants, though its core episodes, including exile, destiny and eventual kingship, stay consistent across versions. The most widely known modern version derives from the griot Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate's oral account, translated into French by Djibril Tamsir Niane in 1960. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Connections
In Genre
Epic, Genres Source Epic of Sundiata (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Original Language
Also in Language Atlas: the original language of this subject.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Epic of Sundiata (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Epic of Sundiata (Wikipedia)
Lead
is an epic poem of the Malinke people that tells the story of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa, who ruled from 1235 C.E. until his death in 1255 C.E. It details how Sundiata established the empire through strategic alliances and exceptional skill, and is structured as a
In Genre: Poetry, Lead section
The Epic of Sundiata (; Manding languages: ߛߏ߲߬ߖߘߊ߬ Sònjàdà, also referred to as Sundiata or Son-Jara; Arabic: ملحمة سوندياتا; French: L'épopée de Soundjata) is an epic poem of the Malinke people that tells the story of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa, who ruled from 1235 C.E. until his death in 1255 C.E.
In Genre: Epic, Lead section
The Epic of Sundiata (; Manding languages: ߛߏ߲߬ߖߘߊ߬ Sònjàdà, also referred to as Sundiata or Son-Jara; Arabic: ملحمة سوندياتا; French: L'épopée de Soundjata) is an epic poem of the Malinke people that tells the story of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa, who ruled from 1235 C.E. until his death in 1255 C.E.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.