In Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali, responsibility is closely aligned with the purpose of life for those who must fill key roles in Malian society and, in throughout the story, exemplary characters diligently fulfill obligations. Responsibility in this illustrated adaptation of Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali is limited to the roles of king, parent, and griot. These roles are clear obligations that fall to characters who fulfill them responsibly and completely. The performance of responsibility is how the order and structure of society is ensured, and the destinies of characters are fulfilled through the fulfillment of these duties. Responsibility in Mali is a defined burden that falls on those who respond and accept their role, facing and assuming the demands placed on them. King Nare Maghan, Doua, King Sundiata, Balla Fasseke and Sogolon are prominent figures of caliber and examples of characters who piously perform their duty and fulfill their destiny. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay One of the responsibilities of the king of Mali is to "pass on (his) kingdom, intact if not augmented to (his) descendants" (Wisniewski 1999). This onerous responsibility of kingship and the transfer of power, authority, title to an heir/successor is fundamental. After hearing the ominous and portentous news of the imminent doom of the kingdom of Mali and the guidelines established by the hunter to avert this event, Nare Maghan believes it is his duty to take steps, however unpleasant they may be, to spare his kingdom. from overturning and ruining. With the injunction that Sogolon “is the woman that (he) must marry” (Wisniewski 1999). Nare marries Sogolon, an unpleasant specter and is instrumental in conceiving Mali's savior. Maghan states to his bride, Sogolon, that “he must fulfill his mission” (Wisniewski 1999). The very fact that Maghan compares the conception of his heir to a “mission” tells us of the strong sense of royal responsibility and destiny he has. Sundiata considers it his duty to restore order in the Malian Empire, consequently fulfilling his destiny as a necessary responsibility that he must carry out thus ensuring the continuity of the Malian Empire. When one of his people says that "the throne of your fathers awaits you" (ibid). Sundiata willingly takes responsibility with the rejoinder that he, “the king will return (to Mali)” (ibid). Sundiata clearly sees the task ahead and is ready to undertake it. After the political crisis in Mali, Sundiata takes further measures to strengthen his kingdom and justly rule his people. The roles of king and griot are inextricably linked. In Mali “each king gives a griot to his successor” (Wisniewski 1999). It is the king's duty to listen, accept the wisdom and follow the instructions of these wise seers. From the birth of the Malian empire until the time of Sundiata, “every prince has (had) his own griot”. King Maghan follows Doua his griot and similarly King Sundiata adheres to the wisdom of Balla Fasseke his griot. The kings are responsible for the griots and jealously guard them as their prized possessions, as we see when Sundiata engages in a war over the kidnapping of his griot, Balla Fasseke. It is therefore not surprising that, since Balla fulfills his duty completely and honorably, King Soumaoro of Sosso kidnaps him and takes him for his own griot. By definition, griots are “men of the word who give life to the gestures of kings” (Wisniewski 1999). They recite the story of past kings and add to the story of events through the realities of their time and pass it on to the next male descendant who must fulfill the same obligation by perpetuating the.