African Oral Literature: Funali Creation Myth & Sundiata Epic

1. Welcome Braddock Bulldogs!!! MRS. CONTRERASLanguage Arts9th Grade – Eng I Gifted Honors Room C209 2006-2007

2. Home Learning THE FOLLOWING ARE DUE: • (in box) Movie Project: Group Sheet, Movie Concept, Core Story Elements, Finalized 8 1/2 x 14 Flowchart & Characters.

3. Weekly Forecast11/13/06 – 11/17/06 • Monday – Guest Speaker: Karen Herzog - Script Writing Format. • Tuesday – Group PP Presentation (African). Introduction pg 612-623. Funali Creation Myth "How the World Was Created from a Drop of Milk" pg 624-626 & Mandinka epic "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali" pg 632-639. • Wednesday – Group goes over story flowchart, allocating sections of script to other group members. Based on story and concept, write in one sentence what audience is to learn from movie and its title. Students begin writing their individual sections of script in class using 8 ½ x 11 Act/Scene sheets. • Thursday – Early Release. Group goes over story flowchart, allocating sections of script to other group members. Students begin writing their individual sections of script in class using 8 ½ x 11 Act/Scene sheets. • Friday – Group goes over story flowchart, allocating sections of script to other group members. Students begin writing their individual sections of script in class using 8 ½ x 11 Act/Scene sheets.

4. Home Learning By Monday, 11/20: • Having divided up all scenes equally among group members (Using the typed 8 ½ x 14 flowchart) each group member is to begin to write into detailed 8 ½ x 11 sheets (they say Acts I-IV on the side) which outline the beginning, middle and end of each scene. Each member must know the purpose of scene. Don’t forget that each scene serves to advance the plot in some way (where action or interaction of characters provides not just characterization - getting to know the backstories, motivations, thoughts/perceptions and behaviors of characters but is the action that keeps the story moving forward). Visualize how each scene will be developed from beginning to end. • Be as thorough as possible in terms of writing on 8 ½ x 11 sheet what is to take place in that particular scene (obviously including dialogue between characters). You will transfer from these hand-written sheets to the actual script. • Review Script Writing Format (on PP handout and Ms. Herzog’s handout). Each group member is to type their sections of the overall script based on your notes from Act(s)/Scene(s) 8 ½ x 11 sheets (mentioned above). • Once you have checked for spelling and correct formatting, next to each Master Scene Heading, temporarily insert BOLDED parenthesis in which you type in the Act/Scene number it corresponds to according to group’s 8 ½ x 14 story flowchart as well as your name). For example: FADE IN: INT. NEW YORK HOSPITAL CORRIDOR – NIGHT (Act 1 Sc 1 – John Doe) • Print 2 copies of your individual scenes. Staple 1 copy of scene pages to the corresponding hand-written 8 ½ x 11 sheets you used in class this week. Staple the other scene pages together and bring to class on Monday. • Email your scenes to Script Writing Assistant/Artistic Director. This individual will put all scenes in order and bring entire script on a floppy to class on Monday! • Grade for all individuals will be based on following script-writing format and fullness of each scene (its purpose is well thought through/visualized beginning to end). • DON’T FORGET TO STUDY FOR NEXT WEEK’S TEST (CHINESE, JAPANESE, PERSIAN/ARAB & AFRICAN LITERATURE & SLIDES) Have a great week!

5. Pop Quiz 11/14/06 1) Briefly Describe West African social classes. 2) Describe the role of women in West African society. 3) Who were the Funali, and why do we read “How the World was Created from a Drop of Milk?” (think critically). 4) Who was the legendary Sundiata, and what makes this an epic? 5) Who was Mansa Musa?

6. African Culture • Michelle • Jorge • Natalie • Stephanie • Karen • Fryda • Period. 6

7. West African Oral Literature • “West Africa has a rich cultural tradition [which] recalls the glories of its ancient kingdoms” (612). • African culture and influence has reached Latin America, the U.S., and the Caribbean due to the Atlantic slave trade. The peoples of West Africa in ancient times were much more diverse than they are today. For example the Soninke were traders, the Fulani were cattle herders, and the Yoruba were yam farmers (613). • Traditional and Islamic Beliefs: African religions coexisted with Islam when it was brought to west Africa in the 800’s. Timbuktu became an important trade center in Mali focused on Islamic learning (612). • Wealthy Cities and Empires: African cities, such as Djenné-Djeno became wealthy through trade. North Africans would travel in caravans through the Sahara to trade their blocks of salt and other goods for West African gold, ivory, and other resources (612). Fortress of the Mali Empire. (courtesy of google images)

8. West African Oral Literature • The African Diaspora: The slave trade, during a period of 300 years, spread millions of West Africans throughout the Americas. “West African coastal cities were centers for the trade” (613). Even though the slave trade took on a different form than Africans were accustomed to in their thinking of “slavery,” the trade allowed African culture and traditions to spread to other parts of the world and to their descendants (613). • Rich Artistic Traditions: African art was rich with carved head-pieces (as shown on the right), masks, and stunning bronze sculptures (613). African music has also influenced the world, as in the example of American blues and Jazz (613). African mask with spirals.(Courtesy of google images)

9. Historical Highlights“The History of West Africa is both exciting and tragic. The region was shaped by the rise and fall of mighty empires and city-states, the spread of religion, the wounds of the slave trade, and colonization of European powers” (614). • Rise of Ghana_ C. 300- 120- Ghana was the first empire of West Africa; the empire was created by the Soninke people. The Soninke were mostly merchants living south of the Sahara. The Soninke named the empire Ghana after their “war chief” (614). The area became known as “the land of gold” even though the Soninke themselves didn’t produce gold. Rather, the gold they had came from taxing traders who passed through their trade routes. Ghana became weakened by Islamic invasions (614). • Spread of Islam_ C.800- 1900- Islam spread like wild fire throughout Western Africa, both peacefully through trade and persuasion and by conquest (614). Members of ruling courts were usually the first to convert due to their interaction with Muslims, but country people managed to hold on to their beliefs/traditions (614). In 1076, the Almoravids (Islamic reformers also called Moors) took over the capital of Ghana and converted the people. With time, the Fulani converts to Islam spread the religion to greater parts of West Africa through jihads (holy wars) against non-Muslim rulers (614).

10. Historical Highlights(Continued) • Rise of Mali_ 1235- 1500- Mali succeeded Ghana in becoming the next Muslim empire in West Africa (614). Its founder a Mandinka hero by the name of Sundiata Keita, defeated a non-Muslim king, to establish the empire (614). Mansa Musa, Sundiata’s grandnephew, brought the empire to its greatest size and power, with Timbuktu and Djenné becoming great centers of Muslim education (614). In one trip to Mecca (1324), Mansa Musa carried so much gold as gifts for his hosts in Cairo that the price of gold dropped in Egypt (614). • Forest Kingdoms_ C.1170- 1900- Forest Kingdoms were smaller settlements outside of empires. The Yoruba, a “deeply religious people who composed eloquent praise to their gods” (615), was one such forest kingdom group (615). They had a government of running families, each with a strong king, an oba or alafin; considered to be divine (615). Yoruba created two of the biggest city-states, Ife and Oyo, among many others. Ife and Oyo could support very large populations of traders, craftspeople, and artist (615). The Edo people of Benin, another kingdom, had a similar government and trading system as Yoruba. However, they were known for their fine sculptures. They made bronze plaques depicting the great achievements of the king (615). In the late 1400’s the Portuguese arrived at Benin. This contact would initiate the Atlantic Slave Trade (615).

11. Historical Highlights(Continued) • Atlantic Slave Trade_ 1518- 1870- Slaves weren’t very common in Western Africa, only prisoners of war and minor criminals were slaves (615). The trading of slaves on a large scale began with the Muslims and continued with the Portuguese (615). Then in the 1600’s, the Europeans exchanged weapons for slaves, so that the slaves could work on their plantations and mines in the Americas or the Caribbean Islands (615). The weapons then brought local wars and raids, bringing in even more slaves for the Europeans to take. The African kings, while some opposed the slave trade, couldn’t stop the trade. Eventually, Western Africa lost around 15 million people (615). • Ashanti Empire_ 1695- 1901- The Ashanti were also involved in the slave trade (615). They were small farmers which created a union symbolized by a Golden Stool, which was thought to be divine, and the place for their ruler to sit (615). The Empire grew and became stronger, but in the late 1800’s it began to fight the British, a conflict which ultimately led to colonization (615). Colonization was big business, and eventually Europeans conquered over 90% of the African continent, bringing in new governments, languages, and religions or beliefs (615).

12. People and Society The division of society into different classes came with the rising of kingdoms and empires in West Africa. However, the class system was not as firmly entrenched as others in Europe and India. This allowed for changes in government to allow for movement along the social ladder (616). Courtesy of Yahoo images

13. Rulers • The top social class consisted of the kings, nobles, and chiefs, typically members of high-ranking families (616). • Rulers controlled the government, wealth, were spiritual leaders of their people, and often shared power with other rulers (616). • Because early West African civilizations did not use money, rulers gathered their wealth in goods and services (616). • For example, traders paid taxes in gold, while fishermen would give a portion of their catch. In return they would receive the protection of the king’s army (616). Courtesy of Yahoo images

14. Priests • In West Africa, religion was a way of life (616). • The priests of traditional religions administered the affairs of shrines, conducted sacrifices, and other ceremonies (616). • Islamic teachers taught from the Koran (616). • The people went to a local diviner when they would encounter some personal problems. These religious leaders were said to receive and understand messages from the spirit world (616). • Like doctors, diviners would figure out the cause of the problem and suggest a solution (616). • When people had physical ailments, the diviner would also act as a healer using herbal medicines (616). Courtesy of Yahooimages

15. Craftspeople • This class included both men and women, including such trades as “musicians, singers, poets, dancers, story tellers, weavers, potter, leather workers, metal workers, wood workers, hairdressers, and tattoo artists” (616). • The men and women of this social class usually worked directly for the king. In exchange for royal patronage, craftspeople honored rulers with their art (616). At Ife, the Yoruba created a famous school of sculpture, influencing the Edo people of Benin’s royal sculptures (616). Courtesy of Yahoo images

16. Freeborn People • Generally this classification of society as meant for ordinary people (non-slaves) (617). • Freeborn individuals included rich merchants, traders, and land owners as well as humble farmers, fishermen, and miners (617). • As kingdoms grew, freeborns helped with affairs of government (617). • “Free was a relative term in West Africa. Everyone owed something to the rulers- either a product or a service (617). • During times of war, a “free” man or woman could be taken away and be turned into a slave overnight (617). Courtesy of Yahoo images

17. Slaves • Slavery in Africa was less rigid than elsewhere in the African diaspora (the places slaves were taken) (617). • In West Africa, slaves (captives or lawbreakers) shared the same jobs as other freeborns, working in farms, mines, homes, even as professional soldiers (617). • Slaves obviously had less rights than freeborns and could be sold at anytime (617). • Some slaves earned their freedom by service, marriage into their owners family, or by working directly for chiefs and kings, affording them a better lifestyle than that of freeborns (617). Courtesy of Yahoo images

18. Women • Women, as mothers had an exalted (high) position in West African culture as evident in the Ashanti proverb, “It’s a woman who gave birth to a man; it’s a woman who gave birth to a chief” (617). • Women and men were equal economic partners (617). • While women didn’t typically hold political office, the more typical role of women in West Africa was that of “queen mother,” the mother or widow of a former King (617). • Before another man could be King, the queen mother had to consent (617). • Queen mothers advised kings, attended political meetings, had veto power over the king’s laws, sometimes participated as judges, going into battle occasionally (617). Courtesy of Yahoo images

19. Arts & Culture • LITERATURE • Communal life was as important to the lives of early West Africans as it is today (618). • West Africa had “a rich and varied oral tradition, encompassing great epics, humble proverbs, solemn praise poems, funny trickster tales, origin/creation myths, riddles, and stories of the natural and supernatural” (618). • These stories were not written down but orally performed to the community to educate the young in the history and culture of the people (618). • These performances brought people together to rejoice and celebrate their culture (618). • For example, “all of the ethnic groups of Mali could rejoice in teh glorious life of their first empire builder, Sundiata. The Yoruba in the cities and the countryside could sing praises to the same orishas, or family of gods”(618). • RELIGION • The religion of the West Africans, while diverse, did share the common elements of: • “The concept of one God who departed from human affairs after the creation”(618). • Worship of lesser gods who were more involved in human affairs (618). • “Faith in ancestral spirits which influence the lives of families”(618). • Belief in witches and sorcerers that brought sadness and misfortune (618). • Assurance in the ability of diviners to resolve troubles, supernatural and natural.(618) Courtesy of Google Images

20. How Was Literature Presented? • The epics of the Soninke, Mandinka, and other groups were recited from memory by the Griots (professional bards or poets) (618). • These professional storytellers would recount “the histories of prominent families, compose praise songs, play instruments, advise rulers, and perform many other functions” (618). • Jalis or Griots enjoyed a social class of their own, one valued for its ability to instruct younger generations thus passing of culture through a rich oral tradition (618). West African Griot (Storyteller). Courtesy of Google Image.

21. Arts and Culture (continued) • Fundamental to West African religious beliefs was the connection between the spirit and natural worlds. Rulers, considered divine after all, had the immense responsibility of ensuring harmony between these dimensions which would allow for good crops (618). • The introduction of Islam made many beliefs and practices die out, but it also, maintained many, such as women freely interacting with men, even to the point of not veiling their faces (618). • MUSIC & DANCE • Music, like storytelling, is essentially a communal or social activity. It takes part in games, ceremonies, festivals, and work. The musicians prefer melody over harmony and improvisation over strict rules (619). • Instruments used include xylophones, flutes, horns, and whistles mixed with stringed instruments such as the Kora, the 21stringed harp, and that Xalam, ancestor of the banjo, and leading all is the drums. West African “rhythmical sophistication is unsurpassed”(619). • Dancing, rhythmic and energetic, is done in solo or in groups, performed at social and religious events. Dancing strengthens the vitality of the community (619). Courtesy of Google Images

22. Arts & Culture (continued) • ART • African art includes beautiful jewelry, pottery, and sculpture made from wood, clay, ivory, and metal (619). • In early times, most art was religious and believed to call forth spiritual powers (619). • For instance, there were carvings of figurines to allure ancestral or nature spirit to inhabit it. People also, wore detailed masks and headpieces to attract various spirits (619). • The goal of art rituals are to express a spirit’s “essence” or ability to make crops grow, rather that its outward appearance (619). • “The idea that art does not need to depict a thing realistically in order to show the essence, which is the founding principle of modern art”(619). • The expressionistic design of these ritual matter influenced many artists. One that is very notable is Pablo Picasso of the 20th century (619). Courtesy of Google Images

23. Time Line Events in Literature: • 300 - 1100 :around this time Soninke epic poets composed the Dausi, which has survived only in fragments. • 1068 : Muslim scholar Abu Ubayd al-Bakri completes first written history of west Africa. • 1250 - 1400 : during this time Mandinka poets compose Mali’s epic, Sundiata. • 1352 : North African historian, Ibn Battuta visits Mali, later writes of his travels. • 1650 : African scholar Abd al-Rahman as-Sdi writes a history of ancient Ghana and Mali. • 1789 : Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave originally from Benin, publishes his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano.

24. Olaudah Equiano 1789 Olaudah Equiano was a freed African American who wrote an autobiography of his life. This was a very important event in history because people finally had a written account of the horrible way the people treated the Africans. It teaches them that they wouldn’t like that done to them, so they should not do it to others. It also shows the people how the African Americans used to live before they got captured and how their lives changed for the worst. Soon people realized all the evil things they had done and wanted to read more and know more about it. By 1837 nine more editions had been published.

25. Time Line Western African History • 300 :Kingdome of ancient Ghana founded by the Sonike people, according to legend. • 670 :Arab Muslims rule Egypt and part of North African coast. • 800 :Muslim traders from North Africa increase travel across the Sahara to West Africa. • 800 :Kingdom of ancient Ghana develops into an empire from wealth gained I gold-salt trade. • 1050s :Muslim Almoravids move from western Sahara to conquer Morocco. • 1076 :Almoravids overrun Ghana empire • 1100 – 1600 :Walled city of Ife is center of most powerful Yoruba kingdom. • 1203 – 1235 :Fulani people control former Ghana trade routes. • 1235 :Mali king Mansa Musa goes on pilgrimage to Mecca and brings back Arab architect to build mosques in l Timbuktu and Gao. • 1400s :Mali declines.

26. (Continued...) • 1518 :Spanish carry first cargo of enslaved Africans directly from West Africa to Caribbean Islands. • 1625 : Atlantic trade expands. • 1650 – 1789 : City-sate of Oyo replaces Ife as center of Yoruba power • 1695 – 1717 :Founding of Ashanti empire • mid-1700s : British exchange more than 100,000 guns a year for enslaved Africans. • 1800 :Most West African kingdoms involved in Atlantic slave trade. • 1807 – 1826: Ashanti battle British over control of coast. • 1874 : British burn Ashanti capital during Ashanti-British war. • 1884 – 1885 : European powers divide Africa among among themselves at Berlin Conference. • 1901 : Ashanti empire becomes British colony.

27. When the Spanish carried their first cargo of enslaved Africans to the Caribbean Islands,they had no idea that what they were starting was going to be big enough to cause civil wars and change important historical documents. In 1518 the Spanish carried their first cargo of enslaved African Americans from the west of Africa the Caribbean. This included over one million slaves. All of them had been torn apart from their homes and were being sent into a foreign country to work. Soon this slave trade would grow much larger, and turn into the backbone of the United States. The slaves on the ships were in chains and couldn’t move or go to the bathroom. The consequences this act would have was going to change history. Thanks to the hard work and long hours without rest or food the slaves worked, this country is what it is today. The enslaves people were to work the land. The owners then made profits and the economy would grow. Cotton and tobacco were one of the few things they grew. Slaves were not allowed to have an education, so a large percent of the population was illiterate. Back in Africa, many tribes were destroyed because of lack of people and by the Spanish coming and getting their people. First Slave Cargo 1518

28. Time Line Events in world History • 500 – 1500 : Middle Ages in Europe • 570 : Birth of Muhammad, prophet of Islam • 618 – 907 : Tang Dynasty Expands Chinese empire. • 622 : Beginning of Muslim era. • 750 : Muslim empire extends from Atlantic ocean to Indus river. • 771 – 814 : Charlemagne builds empire that includes all of France and parts of Spain, Italy, and Germany. • 850 : Chinese invent gunpowder • 900s : Anasazi civilization in North America enters classic Pueblo period. • 939 : Vietnam gains independence from China. • 1054 : Christian church divides into Roman catholic and Eastern Orthodox. • 1095 : Beginning of Crusades, a 200 year struggle between Christians and Muslims over the Holy land.

29. (continued...) • 1200 – 1521 : Aztecs build empire in Mexico • 1206 – 1227 : Genghis Khan builds Mongol empire • 1345 – 1347 : Epidemic of Bubonic plague devastates large areas of China, the Middle East, and Europe. • 1492 : Christopher Columbus reaches the Caribbean. • 1507 : Spain conquers territory in the Caribbean and central America. • 1800 : Africans make up more than half of the population in Brazil and Venezuela. • 1804 : Napoleon becomes emperor of France. • 1804 : Haiti gains independence from France. • 1821 : Mexico declares independence from Spain. • 1861 – 1865 : Civil war ends slavery in United Sates.

30. Bubonic Plague 1345 -1347 This plague originated in China and traveled to Europe. It is also known as “the Black Death” because the people who contracted it turned gray and then died. One of the reasons the illness would not cease was because the people were often advised not to shower because pores would open and let In the plague. Another reason the Bubonic Plague advanced so swiftly was because the medicine was not as advanced advanced and there was no cure for it. Some of the symptoms were vomiting blood, aching of the limbs, and then the lymph nodes would swell. To stop the plague, there were many remedies that people thought worked, but the real effective way was to put the houses who had at least one person with the disease in quarantine. the other only effective thing that really drove the plague out was heat.

31. Connect to Today: The Legacy of West Africa Personal Adornment Popular Dance Worship Styles Music! Storytelling

32. Popular Dance West Africa has had a great influence on all types of modern dances all over the world! Through the slave trade and many other medias, traditional West African music and dance forms made their way into the homes of Europeans and the people of their colonies. Courtesy of Google Images In the United States— “the shimmy, Charleston, snakehips, Lindy, and twist” (622). In Latin America— “the merengue, mambo, and samba” (622). African Man & Woman dancing

33. Worship Styles Once again, unique is an amazing word to describe all things African. In Cuba— Many Cubans still worship Ancient African gods through Santeria (623). In America— African Americans use the “call-and-response pattern”(623) in their lively church worship (623). Intense emotion and flowing body movements are major characteristics of African-American sermons (623).

34. Personal Adornment With adornments, braids, and garments unique from the rest of the world, West Africa has inspired a plethora worldwide fashion trends (622). Intricate Braids & Head wraps Dashikis & Djellabas Courtesy of Google Images

35. MUsic! Usually fused with European music, African rhythm is a wonderful contribution to many modern musical genres (623). Blues—“similar to the music played and sung by West African griots” (623). Jazz— just like in African music, improvisation and responding to others’ signals are crucial to a jazz performance (623). Calypso—uses rhythms that originally belonged to African religious music from the Yoruba (623). Salsa— originates from Cuban son, which uses African rhythms and instruments (623). Samba— taken from Angola dancing involving a navel-touching dance movements, the Samba is important for Carnival in Brazil (623).

36. Ever heard of Brer Rabbit or Anansi the Spider? These are both trickster tales that originate from stories passed on through the oral tradition in Africa (623). Storytelling Courtesy of Google Images These stories were usually told using instruments as background music… Music playing during storytelling

37. In Conclusion... WEST AFRICAN LITERATURE West Africans, more than other Africans, were able to influence other countries and territories due to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Their rich and artistic traditions seemed to always travel with them wherever they would go. HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS Throughout the rise of many empires such as the Ghana, Mali, and Ashanti, Africa was molded by the invaders and by the motivations of each current empire. Ghana was run by gold, until they were invaded by the Islam & the Ashanti struggled with the British due to slave trade. These empires never really unified Africa, though.

38. PEOPLE & SOCIETY African society was separated into six main groups: the rulers, priests, craftspeople, freeborn people, slaves, and women. The rulers were nobles and chiefs who mostly presided over tribes. Everybody in African would turn to priests to cure them, advise them, and help them in every possible way. Craftspeople would normally work directly for the rulers and nobles. Freeborn people would just wander around and sometimes be turned into slaves. Slaves were usually bound for life. Woman had a surprisingly high status and influence in Africa. ARTS & CULTURE Africans have a fair amount of wonderful music, spirited dancers, and great instruments. Their art revolves around their religion and astonishing rituals that express their belief in magic and spirits. TIMELINE Africans have a history of depressing tragedies such as the Black Death that plagued almost the entire world at the time. On the bright side, accomplishments that include the publishing of autobiographies such as the one Olaudah Equiano published show that the Africans were, in fact, able to express themselves intelligently and had the potential to be very influential. Equiano's autobiography captured the chaos that occurred in Africa due to the slave trade.

39. CONNECT TO TODAY African dance, worship, music, storytelling are all arts that spread across the entire world to become the dances, praises, songs, instruments, and clever stories we still use to this day.

40. “How The World Was Created From A Drop Of Milk” By Karen Cortina & Jessica Ordax

41. “How the world was created from a drop of milk” is a creation myth for the Fulani people (they live in territories in Africa such as Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon ) (Applebee 624). The Fulani people were distinct because their main way of life was cattle-herding, their language is Fulfulde, and their physical appearance (fair skin and sharp features) (624). The Fulani have been nomads for quite some time, searching for pasture for the livestock, and communicated with the neighboring farmers they would meet (624). The Fulani were granted the use of the neighbor’s land for the cattle to graze, and in return the cows would excrete and fertilize the soil (624). The Fulani also established a form of commerce with the farmers, trading their dairy products for vegetables and other possessions (624). The Fulani were very dependant on dairy products and their cattle, which leads to the use of cow and dairy product images in their myths (such as this one) (624). The Fulani strongly believed in an omnipotent god, Gueno, along with lesser gods. Gueno can take the form of Doondari, the creator god (624). This myth is no longer compatible with Fulani beliefs as they adopted the Islamic religion since the 18th century, hence helping the spread of the Islamic religion in West Africa (624). Introduction

42. Myth- A traditional story that explains why the world is the way it is (624). A CREATION Myth tells the story of how the earth and human beings were created (624). Important Concepts… • Relationships- • Chronological – X happens because Y happened. For example, “then • Doondari descended the second time. And he took the five elements • and he shaped them into man” (625-626). • Cause & Effect – X caused Y. For example, “at the beginning there • was a huge drop of milk” (625). • Hierarchal – X ranks above Y. For example, clearly Doondari as a god • outranks man as the created (625). • Constituent – X is made up of Y and Z. For example, after Doondari came down and created the stone, the properties of the same created iron, which created fire, which created water, which created air (625). While this certainly shows cause and effect in each metamorphosis, each new creation is a constituent (derivative) of the previous form.

43. It all started with an enormous drop of milk (625). Then Doondari came down and created a stone, which created iron, who created fire, which in turn created water, that created air (625). Doondari then appeared for a second time at which point he gathered all the 5 elements and transformed then into man (625-626). Man was now too proud, and this caused Doondari to create blindness (626). In turn, blindness became too proud and so Doondari created sleep, to defeat blindness. Sleep became too proud, thus Doondari created worry to defeat sleep (626). Lastly, Doondari created death to overcome worry, and when death was too proud Doondari (as Gueno) came down and defeated death for himself (626). Plot Sequence…

44. Key Concepts (cont.) • Vocabulary: • Descended - To move from a higher to a lower place; come or go down. (On page 626) • Significance of work • “How the world was created from a drop of milk” demonstrates the authority that God has over the people, and everything, even death. • It explains not just how the world was created but also where worry, sleep, blindness and death came from. • It also shows a universal flaw: pride and its consequences. • It falls under the unifying idea that God is omnipotent and benign while man is in essence evil.

45. Research • http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-57039 - Here you will find an introduction to African Literature, and the actual story of “How the world was created from a drop of milk”.

46. What questions do you have about events in this myth? This myth triggered the following question: What happens after death? How could death have been created? How was the world created, according to the first part of the myth? Summarize events in your own words? According to the myth the world started as a gigantic drop of milk, and was created by Doondari, who created a stone. The stone, in turn created iron, which created fire, which created water, that created air. Then Doondari took these 5 elements and shaped man (625-626). What relationships do you see present in the myth? There is a relationship between God and man: God establishes complete power and control over human kind, and human kind does as God says (625-626). There are relationship among elements. In the case where blindness is taken by worry, who is defeated by sleep, who is defeated by worry, who get defeated by death, who is trampled by God (proving, yet again that there is no match for God) (625-626). Questions and Answers

47. How do you interpret the series of defeats in the myth? In what sense does blindness defeat man, sleep defeat blindness, and so on? The series of defeats in the myth signify that nothing is invincible, except their god, and that pride will only lead to destruction, and that one must be humble (625-626). Blindness defeats man in the sense that we no longer “see” or advance anything, that we were helpless, and blindness made us humble and not proud because being handicapped we could not be at the top. Sleep defeated blindness in the sense that sleep was complete blindness of the body, and not just eyes. Worry defeated sleep because if you worry you cannot sleep, and death overcame worry because when you dead you cannot do anything at all (625-626). Why do you think Doondari returns as Gueno to defeat death? Doondari returns as Gueno to defeat death because Gueno was his omnipotent form (625-626). What truths about human nature or life do you find in this myth? A truth about human nature that I found in this myth was the fact that humans do tend to get too proud. This myth also resembles the real life in the sense that there is an order or hierarchy to all things with god on the top and humans at the bottom. Lastly, the idea that all human nature is inherently evil, and must be controlled. (The idea that man brought spites onto themselves). If man had not been proud, how might the world have turned out? The world might have turned out happier and cleaner in a sense. There would be no death, or worry. Humanity would be innocent and benevolent.

48. How would you compare this Fulani creation story with the creation stories of the Hebrew Bible, and Popol Vuh? The Fulani creation myth states that there was a drop of milk in the beginning, then Doondari takes iron, water, air, fire, and stone, and creates man, but is unhappy because man is too proud, and so he creates ways to humble man , but is dissatisfied every time, until her creates death, and then is forced to defeat death himself (625-626). In the Hebrew Bible it states that there was nothing but darkness and void in the beginning, and that man was created on the 6th day in the image of God. God became unhappy with man when he deliberately disobeyed and ate from the” tree of knowledge of good and evil” , and punished man kind with sight of good and evil, and he was naked, and forever sorry, for he was now mortal and had to work the fields (65-69). On the other hand the Popol Vuh claims that there was also nothing, with the exception of the ocean and the sky, and God. Man kind was made to worship the Gods, and made up of several materials. The Gods were not happy with man kind because he believed himself a god, and all of nature turned against man kind, and took away sight from man, to blind him (77-85). How satisfying do you find this Fulani myth’s explanation of why death exists? The explanation is very brief and to the point. I believe it was very interesting, and entertaining to read. It addresses all aspects of a the creation of death without all the fluff.

49. Works Cited Applebee, Arthur N., et al. The Language of Literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell Inc., 2003 How the world was made from a drop of milk, "Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.." African Literature. 2006. 25 Oct 2006 <http://www.britannica.com/blackhistor y/article-57039>.

50. Sundiataan epicof old Mali Carlos Fabery Per.5 Cover for Sundiata. Courtesy of Google Images.