sundiata discussion post
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Clayton State University *
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2111
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Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by SargentTitaniumSquirrel26
In 2-3 well-developed paragraphs discuss the topic listed
below. After you have posted your discussion, respond in
detail to the Discussion Topic posts of at least two other
classmates.
Syncretic religious practices as found in
Sundiata
:
Many characters in
Sundiata
simultaneously follow both
traditional African and Islamic tenets of faith; that is, their
beliefs are syncretic. Discuss how one character from this epic
combines different religious traditions. Be specific. In what
ways is this character successful or unsuccessful at doing so?
Are there deeper values common to both faiths? Where might
these beliefs conflict? More generally, where else have you
seen syncretic religious practices (perhaps other books you
have read, TV shows, movies, etc)?
There are many characters in "Sundiata" that follow both traditional African
and Islamic tenets of faith. One character that stands that follows these tenets
of faith is Sogolon Kedjou, who is the mother of the main character, Sundiata.
In the epic, Sogolon is depicted intelligent woman who integrates both Islamic
faith alongside with African traditions.
In the epic, there was a moment where Sundiata couldn't use his legs. This
is where in the epic Sogolon's beliefs in both African and Islamic tenets of
faith show. In African culture, herbal healing techniques are used a lot when
someone of their religion is injured or sick. Sogolon was one of those people
as she is represented as an expert healer and herbalist who uses the healing
power of spiritual incantations and natural remedies to relieve illnesses and
maladies. She tried to use her herbal medicines to try and heal Sundiata's legs,
but they wouldn't work ("Sundiata" 11). One day however, Sogolon noticed
that Sundiata was finally able to stand on his own and use his legs. It was on
that day when Sogolon praised Allah for giving Sundiata the ability to be able
to walk ("Sundiata 11"). This is an example of Sogolon possessing behaviors
of Islamic faith. Islamic faith believes in the "one and only God", Allah.
Islamic believers believe that you must have faith in Allah and that if you do
have faith in Allah, he will gift you in return, just like he did for the day
Sundiata was able to finally use his legs. Even with her belief in Islam, she
still maintains to have traditional African traditions as an expert healer.
Both faith's in African and Islamic cultures do have some deeper values to
them. Some deeper values that both faith's have is respect and knowledge,
which is something Sogolon Kedjou had in the epic. However, these faith's
can conflict each other by them having different beliefs as well. They both
have different views on spirits, divinities, and as well as their ancestors. Even
though there could be a lot of conflict involved with the two religions, there is
not much of it today and there is not any conflict portrayed in the epic.
There are also a lot of examples of movies and TV shows out there that
show syncretic religious practices. One is "Tales from Napa" which is a story
of the little village of Napa during the anti-muslim riots in 2002. The two
religions in this case, the Hindus and Muslims, have social institutions where
they maintain peace and possess syncretism.
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