Sundiata Characters

Sundiata's griot; son of Gnankouman Doua, the griot of Maghan Kon Fatta. Balla Fasséké is extremely loyal to Sundiata and he encourages Sundiata with his songs and stories, particularly “Hymn to the Bow.” He's very good at earning the trust of crowds and individuals with his songs and stories.

The narrator of the story and a modern-day griot. He believes that stories and history are meant to be heard and spoken, not read, and he shows a great deal of disdain for the reader.

Maghan Kon Fatta's griot, father of Balla Fasséké.

A hunter who visits Maghan Kon Fatta. He's a soothsayer and he foretells that if Maghan Kon Fatta marries an ugly woman, the son from this marriage will be greater than Alexander the Great.

Brother of Oulani; a hunter who brings Sogolon to Maghan Kon Fatta's court.

Brother of Oulamba; a traveling hunter who brings Sogolon to Maghan Kon Fatta as a gift.

An old woman, capable of shape shifting into a buffalo, who tells Oulamba and Oulani how to kill the buffalo of Do after they impress her with their generosity. Sogolon is her wraith.

Soumaoro's son; an instrumental figure in Soumaoro's military advancements against Sundiata.

Keleya's husband and Soumaoro's nephew. Fakoli Koroma is initially Soumaoro’s chief general, until Soumaoro betrays Fakoli by abducting Keleya. After that, Fakoli allies himself with Sundiata and helps to defeat Soumaoro.

Maghan Kon Fatta's third wife, mother of Manding Bory. She's very beautiful and she dies when Manding Bory is still a young child.

Sogolon's youngest daughter with Maghan Kon Fatta; Sundiata's sister.

Sogolon's first daughter with Maghan Kon Fatta; Sundiata's sister. She's proficient in witchcraft and she watches over Sundiata.

Master of the royal forges of Niani.

One of Sundiata's best friends; the prince and later king of Tabon.

One of Sundiata's closest friends, the prince and eventual king of Sibi.

The most powerful of the nine witches Sassouma assembles to kill Sundiata.

A sorcerer king of Djedeba. He attempts to use sorcery to kill Sundiata at Sassouma's bidding.

daughter of Mansa Konkon, the sorcerer king of Djedeba.

The king of Ghana. He welcomes Sogolon, Sundiata, and the other children to his court, and assures them safe passage to Mema when Sogolon becomes ill. He thinks very highly of Sundiata and sees that Sundiata will one day be a great king.

King of Mema, and brother to Massiran. He trains Sundiata and Manding Bory to be great warriors and rulers.

The sister of Moussa Tounkara of Mema. She treats Sogolon like an old friend.

Sassouma's daughter and Dankaran Touman's sister. Dankaran Touman sends her to the court of Sosso to appease Soumaoro, but she escapes with Balla Fasséké and joins Sundiata's cause. She exhibits none of her mother's cruelty.

Fakoli Koroma's wife.

Sassouma's brother and a member of Maghan Kon Fatta's court; part of the resistance group of soothsayers who searches for Sundiata.

One of the soothsayers who travels with Sundiata to re-conquer Mali.

Sundiata's cousin.

Sundiata's uncle, the king of Do.

The king of Do who grants Oulamba and Oulani Sogolon for killing the buffalo of Do.

The king of Sibi.

The king of Kita, whose incredible power stems from the protection of a jinn who resides in the mountain Kita Kourou.

A tribal chief who takes over the defense of Sosso after the battle of Krina.

One of the Bambara kings of Mali. On his pilgrimage to Mecca, he was robbed in the desert and nearly died of thirst, but God and jinn saved him and he was able to return to Mali.

One of the Bambara kings of Mali, and one of Sundiata's ancestors.