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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:A Maninka Mythical Charter
Author:Hopkins, Nicholas S.
Year:1979
Periodical:Journal of African Studies (UCLA)
Volume:6
Issue:1
Period:Spring
Pages:17-26
Language:English
Geographic terms:Mali
Africa
Subjects:Manding
myths (form)
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:Maninka frequently use the idiom of history to talk about the present. This Maninka attitude toward 'history' makes it hard to rely on myths, legends, and tales of a historical nature for accurate information concerning the past. Among the types of historical discourse found among the Maninka are myths concerning the origin of political units and institutions. The origin of different versions of the same myth must be attributed to the decentralization of political power, with each part having its own version. The myths recorded in Kita, Mali, can be broken down into there levels: 1) The Soundiata cycle, which explains the relationship between the clans and provides a commentary on certain ambiguous aspects of Maninka social structure; 2) the myths that describe the settlement and early history of a canton and which serve both to justify the relationships that exist between the major lineages found there; 3) the myths concerning the foundation of individual villages. This article focuses on the 2nd level. Notes.
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