Epic of Mali · 1235 · exile

The medieval epic of Mali. Born crippled and mocked, the boy Sundiata Keita is driven with his mother into exile when a rival seizes the throne of his father's kingdom. Wandering the Mande lands, he grows into a great warrior and finds refuge at Mema, then returns at the head of an army to crush the sorcerer-king Soumaoro at the Battle of Kirina - and founds the empire of Mali.

1. 1
   Niani

   In the small kingdom of Niani a prophecy names the crippled boy Sundiata a future king. But when his father dies, a jealous rival seizes power, and Sundiata's mother flees with her mocked and hunted children into exile.

2. 2
   The Mande lands

   Through the villages and courts of the Mande country the exiles wander for years, moving on wherever the usurper's reach or a host's fear drives them - the boy growing all the while into a strong and famous young warrior.

3. 3
   Wagadou

   Their road carries them north into the old empire of Ghana, across the Sahel toward the great bend of the Niger, seeking a lord powerful enough to shelter the rightful heir of Mali against his enemies.

4. 4
   Mema

   At Mema, by the Niger, the king takes the exiles in and comes to love Sundiata as a son, making him war-leader. Here Sundiata's fame grows - until messengers arrive begging him to come home and free his people.

5. 5
   Kirina

   Returning with a great allied army, Sundiata meets the cruel sorcerer-king Soumaoro of Sosso on the plain of Kirina and breaks his power in the decisive battle of the epic, ending the tyranny over the Mande.

6. 6
   Mali

   Sundiata rides home in triumph and gathers the clans, and there in his own country he is proclaimed Mansa - founding the empire of Mali that will become one of the richest and greatest powers of the medieval world.