The main theme of this story was the importance of tradition and family. There were also what I considered to be sub themes in each chapter. In “the First Kings of Mali” chapter who you came from was a strong theme.
In this chapter it is explained who Sundiata comes from. In this chapter you read about the Mali in the beginning and how it was a province of the Bambara kings (Mandingo), to Lahilatol Kalabi the first black prince to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, followed by many kings like Maghan Kon Fatta who was the father of Sundiata.The Buffalo Woman theme was in my opinion primarily about being foretelling the destiny of Maghan Kon Fatta and Sogolon Kedjou. In this chapter a visitor to Maghan Kon Fatta village foretold the events that were to transpire.
The Lion child, Childhood, and The Lion’s awakening was basically about the roots of Sundiata beginnings. The Exile theme was about survival. In this chapter Sogolon made the choice of leaving Mali. The following chapters in my opinion were about the right of justice or the right of Sundiata to be the king of Mali.
The rest of these chapter told bout the wars wage by Sundiata to gain his homeland and the length at which he went. Characterization: Sundiata: the main character. He was the “hero of many names” (Sundiata, Sogolon Djata, Nare Maghan Djata, son of Nare Maghan, Sogo Sogo Simbon Salaba) He was the exiled prince who from great hardship regained his homeland and his rightful title as king or Mansa. Maghan Kon Fatta: father of Sundiata Sogolon Kedjou: mother of Sundiata Soumaoro Kanta: the sorcerer king of Sosso who conquered Mali.
Sassouma Berete: Maghan Kon Fatta first wife. She was the catalyst of Sundiata exile.
