The Sundiata Epic and the Global Literary Imaginary

Abstract

In the Senegambia region of West Africa exists the Sundiata Epic, perhaps the most famous, significant, and valued piece of folklore. The epic narrativizes the illustrious life and legendary career/achievements of Sundiata, the founder/emperor of the old Mali Empire. There are as many versions as there are raconteurs of the epic. Despite the differences, the common thematic center is that Sundiata established a vast empire from the ruins of Ghana Empire in the thirteenth century that stretched from the west of the Niger River to the Atlantic Coast. The epic signals the organic link between history and literature, tradition and continuity as it anticipates the emergence of a new world order with the advent of an inchoate Arabic culture. The literary assumptions of the epic are obvious from the creativity and ingenuity of the griots who have kept it alive as a unique contribution to world literature through their telling and re‐telling rites.