The Epic of Sunjata/ Corrupt Islamic Leaders

[Forest-Pine]

I recently read the Islamic epic of Sunjata (also known as “Sundiata,” “Sundjata,” “Son-Jara,” and “Keyta.”) Americans might more readily recognize it as the story of the Lion King. The historical Sunjata lived in the early part of the 13th C and ruled the empire of Mali a century before it reached the height of its power. The action of the epic occurs between 1217 and 1237.

I am curious how the Moslems here equate the story of Sumanguru Kante with Islamic extremists such as Saddam Hussein. Do you see any connection between the two great kings who abused their powers and their people? Between the reactions of Moslems then and Moslems now? These questions have absolutely no political motivation. While reading it, I wondered to myself what a Moslem’s views on the topic would be. So I am simply asking out of curiosity.

“Praise Allah!” Kamadjan exclaimed. “What will be, will come, and we are finally at peace! May we never see it end! This day we are happy in our hearts and in our homes because one man among us had the courage, the strength, and the skill to confront Sumanguru Kante and destroy him.”

The king of Sibi continued. "It had come to pass that Sumanguru Kante was the most powerful ruler among the kingdoms of the evening sun. Believing that he alone was invincible, he had only contempt for everyone else! He was a great tree that, being unable to see the storm that will uproot it, proudly withstands the violent winds until it suddenly falls.

“With the Sosso spearmen behind him, Sumanguru Kante had already defeated and killed nine kings. But he was not satisfied, and we were powerless against him! Again and again, he would steal our silver and our gold. But he was not satisfied, and we were powerless against him! Again and again, he would steal our wives and our daughters. But he was not satisfied, and we were powerless against him! Again and again, he would steal our kingdoms! But he was not satisfied, and we were powerless against him! Kings who possessed power, lacked courage. Kings who possessed courage, lacked power. When would the forces of nature combine to produce the storm that would uproot this great tree?”

“We had feared Sumanguru Kante as if he were a demon, but when we saw him run, we knew he was but a man. We could conquer him after all!”

 

[meedo]

I am not quite sure i understand what you want us Muslims tyo comment on .

I see a bad ruler and a dictator who is striving to enslave his people mroe and more . Yes he is ofcourse like saddam and many otehrs and not only muslims.

Peace

 

[Forest-Pine]

I was in no way making commentary that Islamic leaders are corrupt, but just narrowing the field to specific corrupt Islamic leaders.

While reading the Epic of Sunjata, I could not help but compare Sumanguru Kante to such people as Saddam Hussein. The Moslems in the story were fearful of the corrupt leader but for reasons beyond their control were stuck with him year after year as he grew ever more powerful.

Mari Djata was the hero of the story for being able to rid the people of the corrupt leader they had feared for so long. They cheered Sunjata and pledged their lives and kingdoms to him. When Sumanguru Kante was overthrown, the people were overjoyed to have a just and admirable leader.

I could not help but notice that in the modern day, the response of the people was not one of all-embracing joy. They remain fearful that Saddam wasn’t really the one caught but an imposter was. Or that he will return. Or his family and friends will avenge his capture.

One noticeable difference that I can see is that their hero is a Moslem in the epic but not in current day. I wonder if the fact that it was the West that brought Saddam down instead of Moslems themselves is helping to feed this climate of distrust and fear. I wonder if it had been one of their own if their response would have been the same as it was in the 13th century to rally behind the conqueror and pledge their alliegence to him. I am curious if modern Moslems can relate to the story of Sunjata and see their own lives in this epic. And I wonder if Moslems would have been more comfortable with modern events if it more closely followed the Sunjata epic in that it is dealt with completely within the Moslem world. Lastly, I wonder if this epic is one that is well-known to Moslems that they might think to compare themselves to or find guidance in.

 

[meedo]

"I was in no way making commentary that Islamic leaders are corrupt, but just narrowing the field to specific corrupt Islamic leaders. "

Dont worry , i am not upset if you call them corrupt lol

“I could not help but notice that in the modern day, the response of the people was not one of all-embracing joy. They remain fearful that Saddam wasn’t really the one caught but an imposter was. Or that he will return. Or his family and friends will avenge his capture.”"

**
Well, lets just say that it is somewhat like what happened with the people of Israel . God had to have them bring in whole new generations before they can act like free people, as they were opressed so much fear was engraved in them. Things take time. But it also needs proper smart tackling. **

“One noticeable difference that I can see is that their hero is a Moslem in the epic but not in current day. I wonder if the fact that it was the West that brought Saddam down instead of Moslems themselves is helping to feed this climate of distrust and fear. I wonder if it had been one of their own if their response would have been the same as it was in the 13th century to rally behind the conqueror and pledge their alliegence to him. I am curious if modern Moslems can relate to the story of Sunjata and see their own lives in this epic. And I wonder if Moslems would have been more comfortable with modern events if it more closely followed the Sunjata epic in that it is dealt with completely within the Moslem world. Lastly, I wonder if this epic is one that is well-known to Moslems that they might think to compare themselves to or find guidance in.”

Muslims are not really different from any body else. The problem is that this part of the world is already not stable. The arab world is very sceptic againts the US . With israel the strongest nation in the area militarily who already occupies arab land , the arab worl always feels the threat is on the border so it contributes to the sense of tenseness. There has been so much meddling and mess in this area of the world since the Ottoman empire ceased to exist . The british and french patrtition of the region brought troubles . The arab world became ruled by dictators and the west conceded for that for guarantee of stability and teh security of teh emerging Israel. Its an accumulation of mistakes over mistakes that lead us to the current situation of mistrust and fear.

Peace