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Book Book Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The heart of the Ngoni: heroes of the African kingdom of Segu
Authors:Courlander, HaroldISNI
Sako, OusmaneISNI
Year:1994
Pages:178
Language:English
City of publisher:Amherst, Mass.
Publisher:University of Massachusetts
ISBN:0870239295
Geographic term:Mali
Subjects:Segu polity
epics (form)
Abstract:The Bambara, one of a number of tribes of the Mande group, founded the kingdom of Segu with its important city-States along the Niger River in what is today Mali early in the seventeenth century. This Sudanic kingdom spanned nearly three centuries before finally disintegrating under pressure from Muslim and French colonial conquerors. Its legends, rendering the activities of the kings and heroes, the exploits of warriors, the sorcery of magicians, battles against invaders, and even some reactions to the colonial encounters, were transmitted orally, being narrated by the 'djeli', or bards, the traditional singers and keepers of history with hereditary ties to noble families. The present selection of heroic legends is preceded by an introduction outlining the emergence of the Segu kingdom and the position of the 'djeli' and other prominent actors in its social, cultural and religious life.
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