Sunjata

           Every culture has traditions that go back so far that modern day descendants don’t quite know the how or why of why these traditions are carried through. Acting as oral historians the jeliw in Mande clans keep a tradition of storytelling alive to constantly reintroduce a history. Sunjata provides an account of many firsts in Mande tradition, such as the bride-carrying ceremony.

            Sunjata chronicles the genealogy, history, and tribulations of the great warrior and leader of the same name. Although conceived of man and woman Sunjata’s birth was supernaturally predetermined and sets him apart from all other men. However, before his conception and birth is the union of his parents, which is the root of his origin and Mande tradition.

            Once the buffalo has been killed the brothers must now fulfill their promise to Do Kamissa and “urging them to look beyond appearances” makes sure Sogolon is married (Puchner 1517). As Sogolon suffers many deformities she is unable to walk towards her bride-groom during the wedding ceremony so she is assisted and carried down the aisle:

                        When they lifted her up she had a twisted foot.

                        Her feet were twisted and she could not walk without raising dust.

When they lifted her up then,

The dust went this way,

The dust went that way.

The first song for brides in Manden was sung then. (Conde 751-756)

As the co-wives walking with Sogolon continue to sing and escort her towards her husband and change their song when they realize she is bald:

Ma Sogolon Conde’s headscarf fell off,

And her bald head was exposed

………………………………….

They sang:

“The heron-head oooh.

Our heron-head has come this year,

Heron-head.

The woman’s heron-head has come this year with her crest.” (774-775, 779-783).

Taking offense at the jibes of her new co-wives Sogolon is then presented to her new husband:

                        If you see that when a Mande bride arrives at the door,

                        The sisters will put their heads inside and then pull them back out,

                        Put their heads inside and then pull them back out,

                        The third time, they send the bride into her husband.

                        That’s how it all started. (794-798)

This final ceremony inspired by Sogolon’s marriage is the result of her using dalilu against her new husband and his thwarting of it. Resulting in the birth of the Mande hero Sunjata the events are worthy of being included as part of a traditional Mande wedding ceremony.

            Tradition in marriage ceremonies is not a foreign concept, although the traditions employed may be. In the United States it is customary for the engaged parties to exchange rings during the ceremony and to adorn the venue in various flowers and decorations. The Mayans in certain villages preferred to use a comprehensive courting ritual (when economically available) that focused on respect and patience:

                        The preferred route to marriage entails a costly cycle of ritualized negotiation,

during which the boy’s family presents gifts to the girl’s family. After one or two years of supervised visitations in the girl’s home, the couple is married in a religious ceremony. (Forand 333)

            In Sunjata as in many other historical texts the idea is not to just tell a story but to provide a guide and history of a people’s tradition. The practice of a tradition holds little importance if the reasons and history behind the tradition are unknown. Sunjata serves as West Africa’s “central hero” and “an essential part of Mande culture” (Puchner 1514). As the hero of a region who has inspired an entire oral tradition the, of his parents’ union would serve as a template for traditional Mande marriage ceremonies.

Works Cited

Conde, Djanka Tassey. Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mande Peoples.” Trans. David C. Conrad. Beginnings to 1650. Ed. Martin Puchner. 3^rd Shorter ed. New York: Norton, 2013. 1517-1576. Print. Vol. 1 of The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 2 vols.

Forand, Nancy. “The Language Ideologies of Courtship Ritual: Maya Pentecostals and Folk Catholics.” Journal of American Folklore 115.457/458 (2002): 332-377. OhioLink. Web. June 2013.

Puchner, Martin. “Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mande Peoples.” Beginnings to 1650. Ed. Puchner. Shorter 3^rd ed. New York: Norton, 2013. 1514-1517. Print. Vol. 1 of The Norton Anthology of World Literature. 2 vols.