Balla Fasséké Essays

Sundiata Assignment 2 What are the sources of royal authority? What are Sundiata's sources of authority? How do people know he's the king? Sundiata an epic of old maid provides plenty of detail telling us how he has “royal authority” how it is shown, where he got his royal authority from and how the people know that he is the king. Sundiata was a decorated King during his time before he was born there was legend going around about Sundiata a lot of what was known about Sundiata and how he got his

in good standing. While Sundiata’s griot, Balla Fasséké also plays a major role in his life as well. The griot was his consultant and also his best friend. Balla Fasseke was the son of Doua, who was griot to Sundiata’s father. Balla helped Sundiata in several situations. One instance being when Sundiata and his family were leaving Mali after being exiled Balla helped him through the process and informing him of what was to come. Another example of how Balla plays a significant role in Sundiata’s life

Throughout Sundiata many relationships are made and destroyed between enemies and friends. Different interactions play a range of roles in helping Sundiata obtain his destiny. From strangers to family members Sundiata is able to gain wisdom and strength no matter how good or bad his relationships may be. Before Sundiata was born, his father, Maghan Kon Fatta, was greeted by two men who paid their respects for hunting on the king’s land. This first interaction in the story sets the destiny of the

of their ancestors, so that the lives of the ancient might serve them as an example, for the world is old, but the future springs from the past” (Niane, p.1). The griot Balla Fasséké ( Sundiate’s griot) alludes to the philosophy and culture of Mali as it relates to a puissant theme throughout the epic, war. As spoken by Fasséké, “Griots are men of the spoken word, and by the spoken word we give life to the gestures of kings. But words are nothing but words; power lies in deeds. Be a man of action;

The second is that fact that Sundiata is crippled and cannot walk until he is seven years old. Despite his physical impairment, Maghan Kon Fatta sees wisdom in Sundiata and gifts him griot Balla Fasséké, who is the son of his own griot. The king dies very soon afterwards and his oldest son, Dankaran Touman, is given control by the elders because they do not see a future for Sundiata. One day when the queen mother embarrasses Songolon, Sundiata’s

Introduction The Mandinka are West African people that live by both the Islamic teaching and traditional practices. The Mandinka are a patrilineal group, and the oldest male is the head of the lineage. The Mandinka rely heavily on agriculture and trade with local villages and with Arabs. The majority of the Mandinka people practice a mix of Islam and traditional belief. Sundiata translated by D.T Niane is an epic about a legendary emperor who grew up from a crippled kid to powerful ruler who defeats