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Theme Of Sundiata

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Sundiata: An epic of old Mali was compelling in many ways. The character that I was most compelled by was Sundiata. Not only is he the protagonist of the epic, but also portrays many aspects of the underlying themes presented throughout. One theme that I found to be the strongest yet strange was the theme of history and legacy. I say it’s strange because I would not think of history being a theme in any way, but for this epic it works well. I was moved by Sundiata’s respect for what came before him, whether it is his admiration of Alexander the Great or his honouring of his father’s alliances. This epic survives solely because of how highly Mali values its past. How awesome is that? An important characteristic of Sundiata that I found most compelling was his heroism. The most obvious quality that defines Sundiata as a hero is …show more content…

It was present even when he is crippled as a child and cannot walk, his strong arms glow. When he finally stands, he surprises everyone by bending a rod to a bow and pulling a tree up by its roots. Sundiata has more than just strength to qualify him as a hero; he is also brave and patient. He shows interest in other people and their life styles. These …show more content…

Mali has a strange relationship with religion and magic, and it is safe to categorize the two together. Sogolon and Soumaoro, the great sorcerers are in touch with these spirits, and yet Sundiata dominates because he bows before them. Sundiata is an arrogant warrior, but when he is unable to harm Soumaoro, he does not act with more aggression but instead doubts his strength. In acting like this, he opens himself to the religious/magical forces in nature, and they aid him, allowing him to defeat the sorcerer king. Magic, religion, and nature form a realm higher than the human realm. I believe that it is safe to say that magic is one of the Mali secrets not available to

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