Sònjàdà

aka Mande: ߛߏ߲߬ߖߘߊ߬; Arabic: ملحمة سوندياتا; French: L'épopée de Soundjata

Epic of Sunjata

Authors

Banna Kanute&Bamba Suso

Language

Mandinka

Year

oral tradition likely began in 15th century; first written versions in 1890s

Country

Gambia

Genre

Epic / Long-form / Standalone Poem

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The Epic of Sunjata is an epic poem of the Malinke people that tells the story of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire in West Africa, who ruled from 1235 C.E. until his death in 1255 C.E. It details how Sundiata established the empire through strategic alliances and exceptional skill, and is structured as the Hero's journey. The epic is a foundational to Mandé culture and has been narrated for generations by Griots through oral tradition.