SundiataTamaya Miller
... value as a mortal man. Needless to say, this gave him instant accreditation and enduring loyalty from his subjects. The sorcerer-king's empire was unsuccessful because he was considered to be an evil, ungodly-like demon who used his magic to oppress and dominate. Although "he proclaimed himself king of Mali by right of conquest, [he] was not fully recognized by the populace and resistance was organized in the bush." (42) Sundiata was the perceived as the "rightful heir" of Mali who would eventually vanquish Soumaro from the face of the earth and reclaim the land which he was destined to rule. (Ibid.) The more [a mother] suffers for her child, the more valorous will the child be one day. Each is the child of his mother; the child is worth no more than the mother is worth." (22) Woman in Mali society had a distinct amount of power and respect in their society. Songolan, Sundiata's mother, played a significant role in Sundiata's life. When no one else believed in him she did. Without the daily confirmation, encouragement, discipline and most importantly her ability to lead by example, Sundiata wouldn't have been the great King that he was destined to be. Her life was devoted to nurturing and preparing her son for his adulthood, and her death signified the end of Sundiata's childhood. He had ascertained all there was to learn from her. Her mission in life was accomplished. During Sundiata's seven-year exile, he gained practical experience, which he would never have been exposed to if he had become the king of Mali. "After three years the king appointed Sundiata…his Viceroy, in the kings absence it was he who governed." (P 37) He could have been the kings'successor when his mother stated bluntly "Do not deceive yourself. Your destiny lies not here but in Mali. (P 38) He met a several young man who he befriended along his travels. They made a made a promise to provide Sundiata with his army during his quest to reclaim Mali, that is once they grew up. This pact proved extremely valuable in Sundiata's war against the sorcerer in their future battle. Sundiata also "inspired confidence in the sofas…for they love[ed] to see the chief share the hardship in battle." (P 37) The sofa's taught him how to develop military strategy and the art of war. They were very loyal to Sundiata and entrusted in him their lives. Sundiata traveled among merchants who traveled in the desert by camel back. "They were well-informed people and told Sundiata a lot of things. He was told about the countries beyond Ghana; the land of the Arabs; [and] the cradle of Islam." (P 35) The merchants taught him quite literally the tricks of the trade, which he would later incorporate in Mali. They also discussed the exploits of the evil sorcerer-king. Eventually, like the prodigal son Jesus spoke of in the Bible, Sundiata felt compelled to return to his homeland to reclaim tha...