The Change of Roles in Society
In the Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali by D.T. Niane, the women are not hidden behind their husbands because they play an important role in society, as a mother is to her child. The power of motherhood and devotion to family and culture allows them to remain empowered. As opposed to being submissive to their husbands like women in the Muslim society. In the Malinke society, men and women are equal. Women have authority in the society and they take pride in showing loyalty to family members; taking care of their children.
The importance of motherhood is displayed by Sogolon, Sundiata’s mother puts her child safety above hers showing the most critical responsibility of a mother. Sogolon trusted her inner instinct to remove Sundiata from the house as soon as possible because of the danger he was exposed to. Sassouma, the first wife of Maghan Kon Fatta is threatened by Sundiata and she will do anything …show more content…
Although Sassouma Berete was the first wife of King Maghan Kon Fatta, she did not give birth to the next heir. The next heir was based upon the wife that had been prophesied to instead of the first male born. Sundiata was going to become King regardless of who was his father because Sogolon determined the inheritance. Therefore, Sundiata was next in line to obtain his rightful position as King. Throughout the novel, the children of King Maghan Kon Fatta were associated mainly with their mothers. Sundiata was barely mentioned or referred to as the son of King Maghan Kon Fatta and more known as the son of Sogolon. The children of the king had a close relationship with their mothers because they spent practically every day together. The mothers in the kingdom played an important role of being the primary caregiver and the marker of their children’s
In the Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali by D.T. Niane, the women are not hidden behind their husbands because they play an important role in society, as a mother is to her child. The power of motherhood and devotion to family and culture allows them to remain empowered. As opposed to being submissive to their husbands like women in the Muslim society. In the Malinke society, men and women are equal. Women have authority in the society and they take pride in showing loyalty to family members; taking care of their children.
The importance of motherhood is displayed by Sogolon, Sundiata’s mother puts her child safety above hers showing the most critical responsibility of a mother. Sogolon trusted her inner instinct to remove Sundiata from the house as soon as possible because of the danger he was exposed to. Sassouma, the first wife of Maghan Kon Fatta is threatened by Sundiata and she will do anything …show more content…
Although Sassouma Berete was the first wife of King Maghan Kon Fatta, she did not give birth to the next heir. The next heir was based upon the wife that had been prophesied to instead of the first male born. Sundiata was going to become King regardless of who was his father because Sogolon determined the inheritance. Therefore, Sundiata was next in line to obtain his rightful position as King. Throughout the novel, the children of King Maghan Kon Fatta were associated mainly with their mothers. Sundiata was barely mentioned or referred to as the son of King Maghan Kon Fatta and more known as the son of Sogolon. The children of the king had a close relationship with their mothers because they spent practically every day together. The mothers in the kingdom played an important role of being the primary caregiver and the marker of their children’s