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Sundiata an Epic of Old Mali, 2/E
D T Niane

ISBN-10: 1405849428
ISBN-13: 9781405849425

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2007
Format: Paper; 120 pp
Published: 08/07/2006

Suggested retail price: $16.00
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This highly accessible translation of the classic story of Sundiata, a real king who ruled the empire of Mali just south of the Sahara desert from 1235-55, engages readers while introducing African culture and oral tradition used in Africa.

Historian D. T. Niane received this version of the Sundiata epic from Djeli

(griot) Mamoudou Kouyaté. It has been twice translated, from Malinke (or

Mandingo) into French, and then into English. The result is a prose novel, with explanatory endnotes.

This Revised Edition includes additional material that enhances the story and helps readers better understand the context in which this popular story is set: Background information (geography, religion, society and politics); Oral Tradition, Pronunciation, and Spelling; and a Who’s Who of Characters / Glossary of Places.

Fascinating and accessible to all, this is an epic story which should rank with the Iliad and the Odyssey as one of the world’s great adventure stories.

  • Presents a highly accessible and engaging translation of the classic story of Sundiata, providing a real transcription of oral tradition.

  • Introduces African culture.

  • Shows how oral tradition was used and demonstrates its importance in Africa. 

  • Gives readers insight into 13th century African culture and society, including oral historiography and animistic religion, and the syncretic culture of West African Islam.

  • Places West Africa in a much larger world view that encompasses Islam and Alexander the Great.

  • Shows the power of women in society, exposing readers to gendered discourse.

Additional material has been added to help the reader better understand the context in which this popular story is set:

  • Introduction to the Revised Edition– gives a brief introduction to the story.

  • Background Information- explores the geography, religion, society, and politics during the period:

    • Geographyincludes information on the “Bright Country”, the Niger River, The Beledugu Plateau, The Futa Djalon, and the Sahara Desert.

    • Religionexplores Worldview, The Creator, The Ancestors, The Elders,  Sorcerers, Initiation, and Islam.

    • Societylooks at Farmers, Pastoralists, Castes, Gender Roles,  The Role of the Family, and Slaves.

    • Politicsreviews The fall of Ghana, Political Centers, Tributary relationships, Kings and councils, and The Role of the Griot.

  • Oral Tradition, Pronunciation, and Spelling- addresses some of the challenges of transforming oral traditions into written form and presents information on both pronunciation and spelling of the names in the story.

  • Who’s Who of Characters / Glossary of Places- helps the reader keep the many

  • actors straight. Over fifty entries are included with page references to where the character or place first appears.

Map

Introduction to the Revised Edition

Background Information

         Geography

         Religion

         Society

         Politics

Oral Tradition, Pronunciation and Spelling 

Who's Who of Characters/Glossary of Places

Preface

The Story of Sundiata

The Words of the Griot Mamadou Kouyatç

            The First Kings of Mali

            The Buffalo Woman

            The Lion Child

            Childhood

            The Lion’s Awakening

            Exile

            Soumaoro Kantç: The Sorcerer King

            History

            The Baobab Leaves

            The Return

            The Names of the Heroes

            Nana Triban and Balla Fassçkç

            Krina

            The Empire

            Kouroukan Fougan or The Division of the World

            Niani

            Eternal Mali

Author’s Notes

    Retold by generations of griots, the guardians of African culture, this oral tradition of Sundiata, who united the twelve kingdoms of Mali into a powerful empire, has been handed down from the 13th century and captures all the mystery and majesty of Medieval African kingship.

  • 0582264758Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali , Longman African Writers Series
    Niane
    © 1965 | Longman | Paper; 101 pages | Out of Stock
    ISBN-10: 0582264758 | ISBN-13: 9780582264755
    Brief Description

Born in Guinea, author and playwright Djibril Tamsir Niane is a descendant of griots – African oral historians/storytellers.  He translated Sundiata, as told by the griot Djeli Mamadou Kouyate, into French under the title Soundjata ou Epoque Mandiginue in 1960.  It was later translated into English by G. D. Pickett in 1965.

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This title is a member of the Longman African Writers Series, which also contains the titles below . You can also visit the Longman African Writers Series page.

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    • This highly accessible translation of the classic story of Sundiata, a real king who ruled the empire of Mali just south of the Sahara desert from 1235-55, engages readers while introducing African culture and oral tradition used in Africa.

    Historian D. T. Niane received this version of the Sundiata epic from Djeli

    (griot) Mamoudou Kouyaté. It has been twice translated, from Malinke (or

    Mandingo) into French, and then into English. The result is a prose novel, with explanatory endnotes.

    This Revised Edition includes additional material that enhances the story and helps readers better understand the context in which this popular story is set: Background information (geography, religion, society and politics); Oral Tradition, Pronunciation, and Spelling; and a Who’s Who of Characters / Glossary of Places.

    Fascinating and accessible to all, this is an epic story which should rank with the Iliad and the Odyssey as one of the world’s great adventure stories.

  • 1405849428Sundiata an Epic of Old Mali, 2/E
    Niane
    © 2007 | Longman | Paper; 120 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 1405849428 | ISBN-13: 9781405849425
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your Pearson Higher Education representative to create your own package.



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