Similarities Between Sundiata And Nagarando Cortes

Sundiata’s and Fernando Cortés’s leadership is greatly demonstrated throughout the narratives of Sundiata: An Old Epic of Mali and “Second Letter” of Francis MacNutt’s edition of Letters of Cortes. The portrayals of their leadership serve as historical avenues that provide knowledge of the significant values of the Mandingo and Spanish cultures. The culture of Mali valued alliances with neighboring countries for it was the strong ties that Sundiata created that developed the Mali Empire’s historical trading success. The Spanish culture praised loyalty to the monarchy and power expansion throughout its conquest of the New World. Both cultures prove that religion was crucial and served as a motivation for their achievements.

Diplomacy and trade

After meeting Montezuma, Cortés requested of the leader’s services to uncover the locations of the gold mines and to map the coastal waters. Cortés hopes to find regions along the New World’s coast safe enough to build forts to expand Spanish settlement and to transport tradable goods. Cortés’s urgency to locate the reserves extrapolates Spain’s focus in becoming one of the dominating world powers and an active player in the Afroeurasian trade competition. Cortés’s claim over the mines under the name of the Spanish Crown foreshadows the exploitation of the new lands to generate Spain’s wealth through the demand of gold. Throughout his second letter, Cortés constantly refers King Charles V as the ”Very Great and Powerful, and Very Catholic Prince, Most Invincible Emperor, Our Lord” or “Your Scared Majesty”. Besides his high regards for the king, his violent actions are under the justification of gaining vassals for the crown. The pillaging and chaos of the New World under the authority of Cortés prove how the Spaniards have very little regards and respect for native cultures. The prosperity and lives of the natives were small prices to pay to satisfy Spain’s greed for power and wealth. Cortés’s second letter illustrates how Spain valued acquiring territories and the unwavering loyalty

Religion served a crucial role in the triumphs and daily lives of both leaders however through they are valued through different contexts. Although both leaders used their faith as aids in their victories, Sundiata did not use his religion justify his actions like Cortés did. Sundiata sacrificed livestock and drank from the Pool of Kita to pray for the Gods’ assistance and approval in his war with Soumaoro. Sundiata’s faith coincides with the culture’s belief of destiny and magic. Cortés believed that he and his men were able to survive in the New World because God was on their side; he manipulated his faith in order to accomplish and justify his conquests. Under the “dogmatic assumption that the new world belonged to Spain by the right of Pope Alexander’s bull of donation,” Cortés believed that he was the “instrument of divine justice” permitting him to violently act upon the inhabitants if they did not cease their possessions to the Spaniards. In addition, Cortés believed that he had the right to destroy the natives’ forms of idols and replace them with Christian statues. Through the narrative of Cortés’s leadership, it is evident that religion was valued since it served as a guide to administer Spanish expansion. The narrative of Sundiata demonstrates that religion was important to the Mandingo culture because it was spiritual force that granted Sundiata blessing and fortune in