Essay

Sundiata
Sundiata is a tale of a famous African king whose destiny is interwoven with a large cast of colorful characters, brave warriors, and many sorcerers. Sundiata was born in the village of Niani, a town that just so happens to share its name with the author of the book. Sundiata attracted much ridicule as a child for not being able to walk until the age of seven. Prior to that he was his mother’s humiliation, however as soon as he gained his legs he was the talk of the town. Also during his youth he was plagued by the malice of his evil stepmother who was constantly plotting against Sundiata and his mother. But he foiled her attempts to harm him through the use of black magic and witches, because of his kind and pure heart. At the age of ten he was shamed by his king and exiled from Niane, leaving with the parting remark of “I shall return”. He and his family then found refuge in the Mansa Konkon’s kingdom for a while until once again a plot by his evil stepmother...