Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali is D. T. Niane's rendering, translated into English by G. D. Pickett, of the West African oral epic of Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire, as recounted by the griot Djeli Mamoudou Kouyate. As a published translation of a genuine oral epic tradition it is the correct source for how the Sundiata narrative is actually told within that griot tradition. Its limit is that oral epics vary by performer and occasion, so this text represents one griot's particular telling as Niane recorded it, not a single fixed canonical version, and a claim resting on a specific narrative detail should note this text is one attested telling among others.
Facts
Citation
AuthorD. T. Niane, translated by G. D. Pickett
PublisherLongman
Publication Year1965
Source TypeTranslation
Assessment
Reliability Tier1
Source-type Translation, never tiered before; matched to the academic-press-monograph shape (Longman) rather than the untried tag. NotesD. T. Niane's translation of Sundiata, the West African epic of old Mali.
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
This source names Mali directly: "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali is D."
Claims Backed By This Source (29 claims)
This source backs 29 claims across the atlas. As facts: 21 well-attested. As cited relationships: 5 holds. Plus 3 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Other Writings, 11 claims: 8 well-attested, 2 holds, 1 general references.
- Sources, 8 claims: 7 well-attested, 1 holds.
- Articles, 4 claims: 4 well-attested.
- Empires & Polities, 3 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
- Languages, 3 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
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