SUNDIATA: An African Folktale at Broward Center

Sundiata: An Epic African Folktale is a multimedia production of African history that will utilize dance, music, theater, video, and visual art to bring this timeless historical account to life. The story is centered on the life and times of Sundiata Keita, leader of the Old Mali Empire of West Africa. The presentation will utilize the Art of Djaliya the craft of the traditional oral historian of West Africa. It is the role of these cultural historians to maintain the continuum of history for their people through music, song, dance, poetry, storytelling, and visual art. This ancient and highly regarded system will serve as the platform for creating a full, two-act folkloric production for the entire family. The project entails the compilation of song, chorography, video montage, ethnomusicology, storytelling, historic research, script development, and classical African musical composition. The script narrative will be delivered in both English and continental African dialect.