Many cultures are influenced by religion. However, Old Mali was influenced by two key religions: Traditional African Religion and Islam. Traditional African Religion was the dominate religion in Mali but Islam was slowly catching fire. Islam was introduced to Africa by traders and was largely the religion of the merchant class. In Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali you can see the influences of both Traditional African Religion and Islam and how they change the readers’ view of Sundiata as a king. Sundiata reveals that king Sundiata, as well as the people of Mali, did not believe in either Islam or his Traditional African Religion solely but intertwined the two religions. Since Traditional African Religion and Islam were both accepted in Mali’s
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This component of the epic can not be overlooked. It has confused many readers because the author also references the Traditional African Religion’s gods as well. It is unclear whether Sundiata believed in polytheism or in the one true god Allah. However, we must keep in mind that Sundiata is an an oral tale and the Almighty Allah praises could have been added by the griot, the narrator. I believe that the griot definitely believed in Allah because he references him so much but exactly what Sundiata believes is a mystery. Even though Sundiata’s actions and clothes occasionally reflected muslim tradition, it does not mean he believed in the religion. He could have been taking part in these things to bring unity between the traditionalists and the muslims. Perhaps the most impactful reason Sundiata was thought to be muslim was because his relative, “Bilali Bounama, ancestor of the keitas, was the faithful servant of the prophet Muhammad.” (Niane 2) This epic notes that Islam is part of Sundiata’s ancestry for a reason. Because his blood is connected to the prophet Muhammad in a significant way, Sundiata could be considered …show more content…
Sundiata’s father made sure he married the ugly woman the soothsayer spoke about because it was prophesied that through her Sundiata, “him who will make the name of Mali immortal for ever,” would be born. (Niane 6) Through this story you can see how quickly he believed and tried to fulfill the prophecy because he knew it would come true. Since Traditional African Religion was not dead during this age, it would not have been unusual to receive prophecies. If the spirits sent a message, it was probably common to listen and follow the directions. Magic is another huge part of Traditional African Religion that appears in Sundiata. Soumaoro, the evil king of Sosso, is able to disappear and reappear and is said to have the ability to “transform himself into a fly.” (Niane 52) In fact, Sundiata later defeats Soumaoro with his own good version of magic. Magic is a symbol of strength with the spirits and the people probably thought highly of those who could do magic. However, obviously magic doe not coincide with Islam. I believe it is a part of the story to show how legendary Sundiata, the real king of Mali,
This component of the epic can not be overlooked. It has confused many readers because the author also references the Traditional African Religion’s gods as well. It is unclear whether Sundiata believed in polytheism or in the one true god Allah. However, we must keep in mind that Sundiata is an an oral tale and the Almighty Allah praises could have been added by the griot, the narrator. I believe that the griot definitely believed in Allah because he references him so much but exactly what Sundiata believes is a mystery. Even though Sundiata’s actions and clothes occasionally reflected muslim tradition, it does not mean he believed in the religion. He could have been taking part in these things to bring unity between the traditionalists and the muslims. Perhaps the most impactful reason Sundiata was thought to be muslim was because his relative, “Bilali Bounama, ancestor of the keitas, was the faithful servant of the prophet Muhammad.” (Niane 2) This epic notes that Islam is part of Sundiata’s ancestry for a reason. Because his blood is connected to the prophet Muhammad in a significant way, Sundiata could be considered …show more content…
Sundiata’s father made sure he married the ugly woman the soothsayer spoke about because it was prophesied that through her Sundiata, “him who will make the name of Mali immortal for ever,” would be born. (Niane 6) Through this story you can see how quickly he believed and tried to fulfill the prophecy because he knew it would come true. Since Traditional African Religion was not dead during this age, it would not have been unusual to receive prophecies. If the spirits sent a message, it was probably common to listen and follow the directions. Magic is another huge part of Traditional African Religion that appears in Sundiata. Soumaoro, the evil king of Sosso, is able to disappear and reappear and is said to have the ability to “transform himself into a fly.” (Niane 52) In fact, Sundiata later defeats Soumaoro with his own good version of magic. Magic is a symbol of strength with the spirits and the people probably thought highly of those who could do magic. However, obviously magic doe not coincide with Islam. I believe it is a part of the story to show how legendary Sundiata, the real king of Mali,