The Epic of Son-Jara

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The Epic of Son-Jara

• Late 13th-Early 14th Centuries

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Background

• Epic of the Manding people.
• Empires rose when Muslims invaded, bringing
  literacy/trade.
• Wealthy trade in gold and salt.
• Funded armies, cities, universities.
• Empires--
• Ghana (700-1000) Soninke culture.
• Mali (1000-1450) Malinke culture.
• Songhai (1450-1590).

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Even More Background

• This epic still performed all over Sudan.
• Part of Africas 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.

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The Prologue in Paradise

• Note the constant interchange between the
  Messenger and the rest of the people.
• Prologue establishes worthy heritage of Son-Jara.
• By tracing lineage to Bilal, Muhammeds friend.
• By tracing Africas 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.
• Destruction of the Bull
• Claiming Konde to beget a son who will rule

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Episode 4

• 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

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Good Rulers vs. Bad

• Contrast Sumamuru to Son-Jaras willingness to
  sacrifice himself for others
• The four times Son-Jara gives Sumamuru extra time
  to get ready for battle.
• Son-Jaras willingness to believe the information
  his sister gives him, whereas Sumamuru cuts off
  his own mothers breast.
• Sumamurus desire for followers wife

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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