RE-EXPLORING SUNDIATA’S LIFE IN DJIBRIL TAMSIR NIANE’S AN EPIC OF OLD MALI

This study explores Maghan Sundiata’s childhood, his experiences during his exile and his outstanding deeds both as a warrior and Mansa. The different phases of Maghan Sundiata’s life to be commented on are his childhood (he was called the lion child, and the day when he walked was called the lion ‘’ awakening day’’); his exile (his stay in Mema and Ghana); the Krina battle, Kurukan Fuga or the division of the world, Soumaoro Kanté’s rule, the empire, Baobab leaves, the return and the heroic return to Niani. The aim of the study is to shed light on some phases of Sundiata Keita’s life which we believe are not well known. The methodology of collecting data consisted in reading the work under study and taking notes to illustrate the different steps of the focus character’s life. It is a qualitative one. The literary theory chosen to analyse the work is Jane Austen’s narratology (Linear narrative) from the third person point of view