Retold by griots, the guardians of African Culture, this oral tradition has been handed down from the thirteenth century and captures all the mystery and majesty of medieval African kingship. It is the epic tale, based on an actual figure, of Sundiata (Sunjata). Part history and part legend, it tells how Sundiata fulfilled the prophesies that he would unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali into a powerful empire.

This Revised Edition includes background information which provides a geographical, religious, social, and political context for the story. A ‘who’s who of characters’ and ‘a glossary of places’ will enhance the reader’s experience.

Introduction to the Revised Edition

Background Information

         Geography

         Religion

         Society

         Politics

Oral Tradition, Pronunciation and Spelling 

Who's Who of Characters/Glossary of Places

Preface

The Story of Sundiata

The Words of the Griot Mamadou Kouyatç

            The First Kings of Mali

            The Buffalo Woman

            The Lion Child

            Childhood

            The Lion’s Awakening

            Exile

            Soumaoro Kantç: The Sorcerer King

            History

            The Baobab Leaves

            The Return

            The Names of the Heroes

            Nana Triban and Balla Fassçkç

            Krina

            The Empire

            Kouroukan Fougan or The Division of the World

            Niani

            Eternal Mali

Author’s Notes