The role of women: Given the male-centered world of the culture, how do female characters such as Sogolon and Sassouma Bérété demonstrate their power and seem to represent the culture’s view of female characteristics?

The role of women: Given the male-centered world of the culture, how do female characters such as Sogolon and Sassouma Bérété demonstrate their power and seem to represent the culture’s view of female characteristics? How does the portrayal of these women compare with ways women are portrayed in other cultures or in our culture today? Provide some examples of the traits of Sogolon or other women in Sundiata and discuss the epic’s treatment of gender.

Select a relevant passage of your own choosing from Sundiata. Choose carefully, thinking about how your passage might speak to overarching themes and the bolded text in the Purpose, above.

How does your passage illustrate a conclusion about roles of women in Sundiata, and how is that significant or important for understanding women in this culture or more generally?