Sundiata Response

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            Overall, I liked this story. It did have some weird and questionable parts in it though. However, it was a refreshingly quick read compared to some of the other more dense materials that I have to read through while in college. Also it was a little confusing at times because I would get some of the names of the characters mixed up, so I would have to flip a couple pages back while I was reading to make sure which character the story was referencing.

            I didn’t like the ideas in the beginning of the story when the hunters bring a woman, Sogolon to King Maghan. Sogolon was probably brought there against her will and probably had no choice in marring the king. At least the King grew to love her, but it never mentions if Sogolon grew to love the King.

            I think that the idea of Sogolon Kedjou possessing the spirit of a buffalo is very interesting and cool. I like this idea and I think that it takes the term spirit animal to a whole new level. It also is interesting how King Maghan Kon Fatta has the spirit of a lion. Since the king had the spirit of a lion, wouldn’t he be considered the original Lion King? Also, wouldn’t his first son from Sassouma Berete also be considered the Lion King when he rules before Sundiata?

            One part that I though was a little weird in the story was that Sundiata couldn’t speak until he was seven years old. This just seemed kind of strange to me. Also there was the fact that he was crawling around his whole life until he was around seven in which he was finally able to walk. I thought this was weird and unexpected from someone who will eventually be powerful and take back his father’s kingdom.

            I also thought that the magic element was pretty interesting. To me, it seemed like nine witches to kill Sundiata was a little much, but maybe they were all needed to pool their power together. Also it was fascinating how their magic only worked with anger from the person who they were using the magic on. Also the witches’ magic was interesting because they could not harm Sundiata because he was too kind and pure of heart. I think it would have been interesting to understand all of the different rules of the magic a little better.

            When Sundiata was traveling from city to city I thought that it was a little strange that the King of Mema made him his heir. If I knew that was all it took to become the heir to a kingdom, when I would love to travel around Africa for a couple of years.

            During the battle I thought that it was kind of weird when the sorcerer was defeated by Sundiata and turned into the stone of the cave. I thought that was a little weird. Also, the fact that it was the spur of a white rooster that really brought about his downfall was very particular, but maybe there is some cultural significance that I just don’t know about. Lastly, in the end I’m glad that Sundiata is the ruler now and for the most part everyone lives happily ever after.