The depiction of family ties and their strong significance is the basic theme of the modern literary world; deepening into the history of mythology one should underline the fact that the illustration of this issue was considered to be centralized in epic cultures as well. The types of relationships disclosed in ancient works can be analyzed on the example of Sunjata being the hero of epic African society. The story of his life is followed by relationships with the mother influencing the character’s supernatural strength.
The myth about Sunjata is aimed at the depiction of epic African society through the disclosure of mysterious family relationships being based on the character’s family ties. It is necessary to underline the fact that the institution of family is presented as the most important aspect of social life. Sunjata perceives his mother, Sogolon, as the main protector and teacher. The story shows that the hero gets his power through the mother’s influence proving strong ties between the children and their mothers. Sunjata’s adventures and life obstacles made the character put all his efforts order to protect his family and personal values. Sunjata always tried to protect his mother fighting for family honor and well-being; he felt his strong dependence and need on his mother’s moral support. (Suso & Duran, 1974)
It is necessary to stress that the example of Sunjata’s story allows comparing family relationships with contemporary social values. Unfortunately, the relationships described are not so often presented in the modern life of the population; it is connected with the transformation of cultural and national values. Sunjata’s example of his attitude to the mother and his desire to support her and protect her is considered to be the model relationships for contemporary society. Honor and safety of parents should be the principal aim of the modern young generation in their relationships with their mother as it was illustrated in the mythology of Sunjata.
The illustration of animals in epic literature works was usually associated with hunting and symbols of nature. Such epics as Sunjata and Popol Vuh disclosing the life and activities of ancient nations involve the readers into the world of wild creatures threatening the life of the characters and proving heroes’ skills of hunting at the same time.
Sunjata demonstrates some episodes with the involvement of animals; for example, Mali King was shown as the skilled hunter of great animals such as elephants, buffalos, and hippotragues. He was able to carry killed animals throughout the villages to provide food for a wide region. The animals in the story are predominantly depicted as the principal food for the African people.
They saw the son of the Conde woman coming with three dead animals. (Suso & Duran, 86).
Early perception of the animals was based on the opportunities to hunt and get food for the nation. The story Popol Vuh disclosing the epic life of Indian tribes is aimed at description of the animals’ world from the religious and symbolic point of view. Thus, the story tells that the humankind was initially created out of animals after the creator’s words “let it be done”. The story’s episode of Hero Twins being maize cultivators depicts the characters performing undone work of the wild animals such as deer, rabbit, rat through speaking with plants, “rise up vines”. (Tedlock, 1996)
Modern society expresses respect to the animals examining their world and demonstrating it in various TV programs such as Animal Planet. Contemporary society is focused on the disclosure of the animals’ ways of life, its style and feeding. Following the programs of Animal Planet one can underline the fact that modern society is interested in the protection of animal world devoting to the creation of forest reserves and nurseries.
References
Suso, Bamba & Duran, Lucy. Sunjata: Three Mandinka Versions. Routledge. 1974.
Tedlock, Dennis. Popol Vuh. 2nd Edition. Simon and Schuster, 1996.