This study guide is keyed to both page (p.) and line (l.) numbers in the Penguin Translation.
 
 

Page	Line
3	1-23	Introduction: Bamba Suso, like many griots, spends lots of time talking about himself and his ancestors.
3	24-69	Here begins the Sunjata story, starting with his paternity.                                   Sankarang Madiba Konte                                                     | Fata Kung Kakhang m. (1) Sukulung (l. 46)                                                      |                                             Sunjata
5	70	and the competition with his half brother:  his anger (l. 82) and seeming retardation (crawling); iron bars (l.  92), the "Lion of Manding" (l. 105); trousers (l. 107); circumcision (l. 122).
7-8	125-180	Sunjata's paradoxical renunciation of his inheritance, except for griots (l. 125).  His special traits:  3 hairs with names of children; honey, cat, wood  as source of names.
8	181	Sunjata's brothers oppose him, inspire sorcerers to attack; bull; sorcerers say, "leave Manding" (l. 212)
9	216	Note overlapping of Islamic and Mandinka beliefs about destiny (see footnote)
10	232	Beginning of Sunjata's exile:  1) Visits Darbo family
11	259	First omen of success: hot wax and ring
	264	Archery contest proves Sunjata's legitimacy
	285	Questions mother about his birth
12	298-307	Song about Sunjata's concern for griots
	320	Sukulong repeats story about thunder, Sunjata shoots silk-cotton tree, Tamaga Jonding Keya angry
13	342	Sunjata's sister warns him about acting out of anger.
	352	Exile and wandering continue: moves on to 2) Faring Bureme Tunkara at Neema
14	357	Here we are introduced to the chief opponent of Sunjata, Susu Sumanguru, who works both in warfare and win witchcraft.
	383	Naming of younger brother Fofana
15	389	Fofana tells that Sumanguru has "finished our brothers."
15-16	399-436	Death and burial of Sukulung
16	441-451	feeds his griot/ companion Bala Faaseega Kuyate his own leg
17	470-476	Special relationship between the clans of the King and the Griot.
17-18	483-502	Griot's song in praise of horses, which were only ridden by kings.
18	503-616	Arraying of the army: Kuran Karang Kama Fofana Suru Bande Makhang Kamara Sankarang Madiba Konte Narang Daniyang Konnate
	559-591	Sankarang kills Sumanguru's 7-headed father
22	617-663	Tira Makhang arrives
23	664-693	The Battle:  Sumunguru is a metalsmith.
24-28	694-829	Sunjata's sister Nyakhaleng Juma Suukho arrives and goes to Sumunguru's town, Susu.  She engages him in conversation.  What crucial question does she pose to him?  (This question occurs in many versions of the epic.)
28-29	830-870	The Battle
30		Sunjata rules