Sogolon Djata Sparknotes

While the history of early African civilizations is not bound in books, it lives and breaths today in ways pieces of paper never could. Africa has followed a long-withstanding tradition of oral history, storytelling in a sense. It is through the eyes of these trained griots that the legends, culture, and history come alive. One of the most famous and cherished epics of the ancient world is that of Sogolon Djata, or Sundiata Keita. This story has been passed down through generations of griots in Africa, and is retold in all its glory by Djeli Mamoudou Kouyaté, translated by author and African historian D.T. Niane. It encapsulates a tale of a young prince who defies both his handicap and exile from his homeland with his mother, Sogolon, to return as a strong man, fit to be the king that his prophecy foretold. His final challenge, fittingly his most difficult, is to take on an evil sorcerer king, Sousomo, to restore peace and prosperity to the empire of Mali. Through his efforts, he is able
The ideas of legacy, destiny, and heroism follow the main character throughout his journey from cripple to king. Legacy is best demonstrated through the role of griots that preserve history and memories, eventually passing them on to new generations. Destiny is mentioned multiple times as Sundiata fulfills the prophecies set forth for him. The most obvious theme, heroism, stems from Sundiata’s strength, power, and might that he uses to defeat Sousomo. This concept of good versus evil relates closely to an earlier reading of The Contendings of Horus and Set. The bad guy provides many obstacles that the good guy must overcome in order to claim his power and rightful position at the throne. Finally, the role of women in each story also brings up another powerful theme, as both mothers play invaluable roles to their sons in each of the two