Epic of sundiata

Personal Reflection to “ The Epic Sundiata” The Epic Sundiata of Mali is full of mysteries. The concept of opposites reverberates throughout especially in aspects pertaining to Sundiata. I feel that some of the happenings are exaggerated, though they represent real life happenings in the modern society. I would not assume an ugly woman like Sogolon to become the preferred wife of a king and the mother of Sundiata, the hero to be. As much as it fulfilment of prophesy, the happenings are full of surprises and inscrutability. However, Sandata’s destiny rings a bell on how hard it could be to predict the fate of anyone even in the modern world. Ideally, the relationship between Sundiata and her mother emphasizes how mother’s love, in real life, can be staggering and is a lesson on how a mother’s attitude can determine the fate of her children.
Sogolon must have been remarkably ugly to be given out as a gift. However, Sogolon marries Maghan, a rare breed of people who accepts to marry an ugly and unknown spouse. I thought Kings ought to be associated with exquisiteness, prosperity, and not ugly women. Sogolon auspiciousness is what most stylish women would do anything to have. It is pathetic to see a king’s wife life filled with disillusionment like Sogolon’s. I expected the birth of a hero to be extraordinary, but it happens birth of epic heroes including Sundate is always odd (Niane 12). However, this is an example that the future does not always depend on one’s past but on how you react to criticism. The birth of Sundiate is true unusual but not outstanding like I would expect of a star to be. Though embarrassing, the mother still takes care of crippled Sundiata. Incidents of mothers who can take such great care of crippled children are limited in modern world. Most do it just as an obligation or lack of option. Surprisingly, Maghan still insists the crippled son will succeed him, but as I expected, others do not share the enthusiasm. Sundiata must have been a source of distress to her mother and I cannot help acknowledging the immense love she must have had to endure such callous embarrassment from Sundiata’s stepmother (Niane 15).
At the age of seven, Sundiata could not stand and has to depend on his mother for everything, which must have been traumatic to the mother. The absolute mother’s love manifested in this story is heartening and a great challenge for modern mothers who sometimes found their care on physicality and propensity of their children. Sogolon must have been an amorous mother to stay confident that Sundiata was ever going to rule. That is how a mother should be, one who cannot tire and always reassuring her children to help them achieve their dreams. Throughout the story, an affectionate relationship between Sundiata and his mother is evident. At the peak of Sogolon’s degradation from the co-wife, Sundiata manages to stand and pace with prodigious strength. It is the love of his mother that drives Sundiate accomplish what seemed impossible. This made me think of how mothers can be devoted. The moment your mother deserts you, the whole world must have deserted you first (Niane 40). This story is a reflection of what mothers love can do. Banishing of Sologon and her son makes it clear how some people will go to any length to prevent one from success. Sogolon’s love for the son appears illusory, especially in the modern world where disabled children are taken as a form of yoke to the mother. Sogolon clearly demonstrates my understanding of mothers, protective loving, and caring. Sogolon might have been hopeful that the prophecy would ensue one day but her love is incredible. She supports her son in all his endeavours due to her desire to provide the best as a mother (Niane 10).
As much as the prediction is accomplished, Sogolon’s love for the son is a great lesson for modern world especially mothers who play a key role in shaping the fate of their children. Sogolon showed her son love even when the rest of the people mocked his condition (Niane 26). Even after being exorcized from the kingdom, Sogolon still believed in her son. Many are the times that disabled children are treated as inferior thus receive lukewarm love with little or no encouragement. It is important for present day people to believe that future cannot be delineated by our physicality and create opportunity equally to all irrespective of their inadequacies. From this epic hero story, it is striking how much mother’s love can assist in a child’s achievement.
Works Cited
Niane, Djibril. Sundiata an Epic of Old Mali. Edinburgh Gate: Pearson Education Limited, 2006. Print.