The unusually long version of West African Mande epic transcribed and translated for this book is an extravagant demonstration of the extremes to which Mande bardic artistry can be carried. The text presented here is the result of multiple recording sessions with an extraordinarily creative oral artist who augmented key episodes of the Sunjata epic that devolved to him from his own father, as well as previous generations of Maninka and Bamana griots of north-eastern Guinea and southern Mali. In marked contrast to versions of the Sunjata epic recounted by other griots, an essential part of this narrator’s performance-style is to season familiar episodes with cultural details and digress into explanations not usually offered by other bards.
List of Figures Notes on Nomenclature and Translation Major Characters of the Sunjata Epic according to Djanka Tassey Condé Glossary Acknowledgements
Introduction
Great Sogolon’s House - Contents by line numbers - Text
Appendices - Transcript of a performance by Mori Sanda Condé of Fadama from the market cassette “Union Mandeng” - Last interview with Tassey Condé at Fadama - Visit to Fadama for condolences on the death of Djanka Tassey Condé, interview with jelikuntigi Mandjan Condé - Note from Babou Condé II - Fadama Condé descent from Adam - Notice of the death of Babou Condé II by Djibril Tamsir Niane - The Condé explanation of how they became jeliw - Evidence of a possible bɛlɛntigi succession dispute among the Condé bards of Fadama
Works Consulted Index
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