Holadem
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2000
- Messages
- 8,967
This is the story you're looking for.
The story of Soundjata Keita is simply awe inspiring. He unified the region into what would become the mighty Empire of Mali. The very definition of Epic, with prophecy, difficult childhood, exile, arch-enemy (a Witch-King... sounds familiar?), massive war, showdown, and return of a king to his rightful throne. All set in a land that is unfamiliar to most of you, with gobs of what you would call fantasy. Most of it did happen. The book (Soundjata ou l'epopee Mandingue) is a classic of african litterature. It has all the ingredient to fit the standard hollywood formula for epics. It would be an excellent movie, as long as it's not culturally dumbed down - consider the declaration of war ritual showcased in the link I provided. If the only way to film this is to turn it into some western story set in Africa, then I hope no one takes offense to this when I say I would rather it not be made.
At the height of it's might in the 14th century (some 100 years after Soundjata), the Empire of Mali was a military, cultural and intellectual force to be reckonned with. The story of how then Emperor Musa's lavish pilgrimage to Mecca severely depreciated gold in the region for 10+ years is well known. Timbuctu at that time was one of the major cultural centers of the world.
Great, great things were done on the forgotten continent, but few here are willing to tell it.
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H