Sunjata

Nationality/Culture

African

Pronunciation

soon-JAH-tuh

Alternate Names

Sundiata

Appears In

The Epic of Sunjata

Lineage

Son of the king of Manding

Character Overview

Sunjata is the hero of an African epic popular among the people of Mali in the Sahel region of West Africa. He may be based on a king named Sundiata or Sundjata, who founded the kingdom of Mali around 1240 CE. His story is filled with supernatural elements, from the hero's mysterious birth to his extraordinary strength.

The epic of Sunjata begins with the hero's childhood. The son of the king of Manding, Sunjata was born under unusual circumstances. His mother was pregnant with him for eight years when a magical spirit called a jinni (or genie) told Sunjata's father that the boy would someday become a great king.

As a child, Sunjata performed many amazing deeds and earned the name Mari Djata (the Lion of Manding) because he could transform himself into a lion. Sunjata's father grew afraid of him and used his power to paralyze the boy. But after seven years the king recognized Sunjata's wisdom and restored his son to health. Sunjata's miraculous deeds continued. He taught wild animals to gather firewood and helped a group of witches bring back to life a boy they had killed.

Sunjata lived in the countryside, killing eight hundred elephants and eight thousand lions. However, on the death of his father, he returned to Manding and won a competition against one of his brothers to become king. The young ruler's first task was to kill a terrible beast—a witch in the shape of an animal—that had been terrorizing the people. The old witch was so impressed by Sunjata's kindness and wisdom that she told him how to kill her. He did so and became a hero. Later, Sunjata went to war against a wicked king who claimed his throne. After defeating this demon king with the help of his sister, Sunjata went on to conquer an extensive area that became the empire of Mali. According to legend, Sunjata ruled with fairness and in peace.

Sunjata in Context

It is generally acknowledged that Sunjata was a historical figure who lived around the thirteenth century CE. Sumanguru, the evil king in the legend, is believed to be responsible for killing several of Sunjata's siblings in an attempt to protect his kingdom from the royal Keita family, which had rightful claim. Sunjata was exiled at a young age, but gained support from surrounding leaders who all wished to see Sumanguru dethroned. Sunjata eventually led an army against Sumanguru at the Battle of Kirina in 1235 and defeated him. Sunjata spent the next several years reclaiming his kingdom and creating a capital at the important trade center of Niani. As the most important figure in the creation of the Mali Empire, it is not surprising that the people of Mali would expand upon these facts to create an enduring legend about Sunjata.

Key Themes and Symbols

One central theme in the myth of Sunjata is the idea of the rightful heir to the throne. Sunjata and his siblings, as members of the royal Keita family, were by tradition the rightful inheritors of the kingdom. Although Sunjata was exiled, he eventually claimed his rightful place by defeating Sumanguru. Sunjata himself was able to transform into a lion, which has long been considered a symbol of fierceness, nobility, and leadership.

Sunjata in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life

The Epic of Sunjata is an important part of West African culture and is still performed by griots, traveling artists who function as musicians, singers, poets, and historians. Many of the most popular musical artists in Mali are griots who have adapted traditional songs and tales into modern compositions. The internationally known singer-songwriter Salif Keita, though not a griot, is acknowledged to be a descendant of Sunjata. The legend of Sunjata, who has historically been referred to as “the lion king of Mali,” may have also loosely inspired the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King.

Read, Write, Think, Discuss

Sundiata: A Legend of Africa (2003) by Will Eisner is a retelling of the Sunjata myth in comic book form. The book includes a brief historical introduction to its subject. Eisner is best known as the creator of the influential comic series The Spirit (begun in 1940) and the graphic novel A Contract with God, and Other Tenement Stories (1978).

SEE ALSO African Mythology; Heroes; Witches and Wizards