Throughout The Epic of Sundiata, a griot narrates the story of a young man who conquered the kingdom of Mali after learning to walk at age seven and defeating a terrible enemy, Soumaoro. The griot narrator, Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate, claims everything he tells is “pure and free of all untruth” (1) and is a history rather than a story. However, as he writes about magical and extravagant myths, current readers consider this book as a story. Despite being considered a story rather than a history, Kouyate’s book provides his readers with a better understanding of the society of Ancient Kingdom of Mali due to his opinions, vivid descriptions and ability to express his stories with emotion. Kouyate’s manipulation of his stories in order to sway people’s
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Throughout literature, authors or historians tend to elaborate the best elements of what their hero did. Not unlike the Epic of Sundiata, where Sundiata, the hero, is explained to be kind and strong. His wrongdoings are glossed over or withheld entirely. Kouyate even explains that he withholds information when he says “learning should be a secret.” (41) In this way, current day readers are given the same information as the citizens of Mali were given. As well as that, by Kouyate displays the ideal characteristics of a person by creating a perfect character, Sundiata. This demonstrates important character traits he from Mali, such as strength and kindness. All in all, the amount and type of information given can help modern day readers clearly understand the beliefs and values of the ancient society of …show more content…
He even states “[griots] bring to life the deeds and exploits of kings for younger generations” (The Epic of Sundiata, 41) While history books gloss over descriptions in order to get to the main point, Kouyate permits his descriptions to take on a lifelike quality, making his book more realistic and believable, as well as captivating and entrapping. While every one of these details may not be correct, it adds more creativity and imagery to the story. Instead of presenting facts, he provides details that make the reader much more invested which results in an excitement to read and an underlying need to soak up as much of the story as possible. When a reader is devoted to a story, they apprehend it fully and can make clear observations about it. In this way, Kouyate’s story is easier to read and understand than modern day history
Throughout literature, authors or historians tend to elaborate the best elements of what their hero did. Not unlike the Epic of Sundiata, where Sundiata, the hero, is explained to be kind and strong. His wrongdoings are glossed over or withheld entirely. Kouyate even explains that he withholds information when he says “learning should be a secret.” (41) In this way, current day readers are given the same information as the citizens of Mali were given. As well as that, by Kouyate displays the ideal characteristics of a person by creating a perfect character, Sundiata. This demonstrates important character traits he from Mali, such as strength and kindness. All in all, the amount and type of information given can help modern day readers clearly understand the beliefs and values of the ancient society of …show more content…
He even states “[griots] bring to life the deeds and exploits of kings for younger generations” (The Epic of Sundiata, 41) While history books gloss over descriptions in order to get to the main point, Kouyate permits his descriptions to take on a lifelike quality, making his book more realistic and believable, as well as captivating and entrapping. While every one of these details may not be correct, it adds more creativity and imagery to the story. Instead of presenting facts, he provides details that make the reader much more invested which results in an excitement to read and an underlying need to soak up as much of the story as possible. When a reader is devoted to a story, they apprehend it fully and can make clear observations about it. In this way, Kouyate’s story is easier to read and understand than modern day history