Dankaran Touman Character Analysis in Sundiata

Son of Sassouma Bérété and Maghan Kon Fatta. Dankaran Touman is the king of Mali after Maghan Kon Fatta’s death, and his weakness as a leader leads to the loss of his kingdom to Soumaoro. While Dankaran Touman is a precocious and successful child, he is a jealous and cowardly king. He's also described as being "colorless" and devoid of personality, although he tries to behave honorably. Several years after banishing his brother, Sundiata, he flees Niani to escape Soumaoro's army and is never spoken of again.

Dankaran Touman Character Timeline in Sundiata

The timeline below shows where the character Dankaran Touman appears in Sundiata. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Family, Community, and the Mali Empire Theme Icon

...city, Nianiba, he often sits at the foot of a silk-cotton tree. His first son, Dankaran Touman , regularly joins him. One day, Maghan Kon Fatta sees a hunter coming towards him.... (full context)

Sassouma is thrilled at Mari Djata's misfortune. Dankaran Touman , her 11-year-old son, already runs and practices archery. Whenever Sogolon passes Sassouma's house, Sassouma... (full context)

...the dead king's wishes to reserve the throne for Mari Djata. Sassouma makes sure that Dankaran Touman is crowned king, and she herself becomes an all-powerful queen mother. Doua dies not long... (full context)

...good wife, and a good mother, her son was granted use of his legs, while Dankaran Touman is "colorless" because of his mother's spite and malice. (full context)

...possesses commanding authority. Manding Bory is his best friend, along with Fran Kamara and Kamandjan. Dankaran Touman , on the other hand, possesses no authoritative qualities and Sassouma fears for his reign.... (full context)

Balla Fasséké plans for the family's departure, but one morning, Dankaran Touman announces that he wants Balla Fasséké to lead an embassy to the king of Sosso,... (full context)

Sassouma enters and finds Dankaran Touman collapsed. The young king says that he doesn't understand why Sundiata is leaving, and he... (full context)

...of his embassy return to Niani, bearing a threat that Soumaoro would destroy Niani if Dankaran Touman didn't submit. The king submitted and sent his sister, Nana Triban, to Soumaoro. (full context)

Many men, including Dankaran Touman , answer Fakoli's call. Soumaoro, however, attacks Dankaran Touman. Dankaran Touman flees to forested regions... (full context)

...months ago to search for Sundiata. He says that Soumaoro has razed Mali and that Dankaran Touman fled Niani, leaving it without a leader. He continues that jinn have told soothsayers that... (full context)