S1 E15: Sundiata Keita’s history, oral tradition sources? ... yes, and so what?!

My African cliche of the day is a word, the word controversy, which comes up very often, too often, when it comes to African history, on the pretext that it has been transmitted by oral tradition. This often disqualifies whole sections of the history of the continent.

Controversy? Listen, When Francisco Pizarro in 1532 massacred Atahualpa and 20.000 Inca the 13th and last Inca emperor, to seize their gold on behalf of Spain, he is said to have needed exactly 180 men and 37 horses. Not 200 men, and not 38 or 39 horses ... Another example, stories about the life of Attila, leader of the famous Huns, nicknamed the scourge of God, died in the year 453 of a bleeding nose during his wedding night, it is certain? and better still, Alexander the Great, who is reported to have married in one go, 10,000 of these Macedonian soldiers to women of the kingdoms that he conquered , and died after seeing all his soldiers parade one by one in front of him! ! seriously, guys, everything really happened exactly like that? Are we certain? There is no controversy? It’s up to you to think about it;  to reflect on your own clichés, about our African continent. See you next week, Thank you and Have good weekend !