Pat Soloman A Hero's Journey

With in many stories and myths from all around the world there has been a discovery that many of these stories and myths have common patterns. This was discovered in the twentieth century by an American researcher, Joseph Campbell. Campbell noticed that the hero’s and heroines from different time periods, in the myths and stories, all had a similar journey. The similar journey was eventually called “a hero’s journey.” This journey is a circular pattern that contains twelve stages but have been compacted into three basic stages by Pat Soloman. According to Soloman the stages are separation, initiation, and return. The rest of the stages are all in between these three basic stages. The first stage is separation. Soloman describes this stage …show more content…
This story is about the founding of a West African empire called the Mali Empire. This empire along with three other empires in medieval West Africa was one of the greatest. The Mali Empire was located near the Sudan which is a fertile land near the Sahara Desert. This empire was heavily influenced by Islamic religion but it still remained a polytheistic region but Allah was incorporated in their belief system. The story is told by a griot named Djeli Mamadou Kouyate and begins by talking about Sundiata’s (the hero) family and ancestors because they are of great importance for the creation of the empire of Mali. Sundiata was son of King Maghan Kon Fatta, and is son of the second wife (Sogolon) of his father. As a child Sundiata had a problem, he was cripple and didn’t learn how to walk until he is seven years old and in addition he is always being wrongfully talked about by his fathers first wife, Sassosouma Berete, so her son could have a better stature. The king was not very supportive of Sundiata, “The king himself lost hope [of Sundiata],” (Niane 16). Sundiata’s father then believes that Sundiata has wisdom and knowledge and will do something great so he is gifted with a griot named Balla Fasseke. The king dies later on and the eldest son is appointed as leader because the people don’t see hope in Sundiata …show more content…
For many years the family travels for place to place, meanwhile Sundiata along this journey learns new ways of life customs, and new people. He learns a lot about war and builds a strong, healthy body. He learns that there are many evils in the world and that there is an evil king named Soumaoro Kante who is driving people away from the towns in Mali. When Niani falls (his father’s kingdom) people are sent out to look for Sundiata so he can take control of his city. In the final stage, the return, Sundiata makes his way back home. He first travels to many more cities that he had visited along his journey and begins to make his army. Once his army was big enough to fight he fought against the evil kings’ army. Along the way, his army is successful but Sundiata can not harm this king because the king had a magical protection. To be able to defeat him, Sundiata had to turn to magic as well to be able to defeat the king. Sundiata is given a magical arrow that will be able to take away the “magic shield” that the king has over himself. Sundiata finally hits Soumaoro with the arrow and loses his power and runs away. Sundiata and his army track Soumaoro down and trap him; Sundiata finally wins. Sundiata finally returns to Niani and creates the Mali Empire and splits up the empire so the rulers that supported him can continue ruling their cities. In conclusion, Sundiata goes through all three stages of a hero’s journey. He deserves to be