The Epic of SonJara
Late 13th-Early 14th Centuries
Background
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Epic of the Manding people.
Empires rose when Muslims invaded, bringing
literacy/trade.
 Wealthy
trade in gold and salt.
 Funded armies, cities, universities.
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Empires- Ghana
(700-1000) [Soninke culture].
 Mali (1000-1450) [Malinke culture].
 Songhai (1450-1590).
Even More Background
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This epic still performed all over Sudan.
 Part of Africa’s oral tradition of folk tales, legends,
myths, and poetry.
 Probably began with “praise songs” addressed to
Son-Jara
Considered record of great, historical events that led to
formation of Mali Empire under Son-Jara Keita.
Considered expression of Manding societal values.
So operates on a par with Iliad, Ramayana, or Aeneid.
The Prologue in Paradise
 Note
the constant interchange between the
Messenger and the rest of the people.
 Prologue establishes worthy heritage of SonJara.
By tracing lineage to Bilal, Muhammed’s friend.
 By tracing Africa’s heritage from creation of Adam
and the world to the present.
 By addressing him with 8 praise names.
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Episoides 2 & 3
Episodes 2 and 3 primarily serve as
preservation of the genealogy of most of
the people involved in this story [religious
& magical].
 Episode 3 shows two brothers – the
younger is the greater.
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 Destruction
of the Bull
 Claiming Konde to beget a son who
will rule
Episode 4
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Episode 4 develops common theme of man with 2 wives, one
loved and one not loved (or one beautiful and one ugly).
 Saman Berete, “the pure.”
 Sugulun Konde, “the ugly.”
 Female rivalry [power and prestige of children]
 Curses vs religious praying
 Sorcery & djinns
 Fate of a cripple and mother
 Sacrificial dogs
 Banishment
Good Rulers vs. Bad
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Contrast Sumamuru to Son-Jara’s
willingness to sacrifice himself for others
 The
four times Son-Jara gives Sumamuru
extra time to get ready for battle.
 Son-Jara’s willingness to believe the
information his sister gives him, whereas
Sumamuru cuts off his own mother’s breast.
 Sumamuru’s desire for follower’s wife
Themes
 Son-Jara
wins because he is GOOD.
 Son-Jara wins because the gods (African and
Islamic) want him to.
 Son-Jara wins because he is both strong and
merciful [best combination of traits in a ruler]
 Bad things usually work themselves out if
given enough time.
 Travel may be the answer