In the sundiata, fate determines the future. Freewill will always lead to the fate that was destined to be.

Sundiata’s father received a prophesy that he will have a child with an ugly woman and the son from this union will be a great king. He took this seriously. This showed his culture’s emphasis of fate. He is certain that fate is meant to be. He eventually has the son with the woman.

Knowing of the fate, Sundiata’s stepmother has them banished in order to protect her son’s throne. She knows of fate, and wants to do everything she can to avoid it. This does not work. Sundiata naturally becomes a great leader and takes the throne. These events show that fate is predetermined, and that the people are aware of this. If not aware, the king would not have had a son with the ugly woman and his wife would have never interfered with Sundiata. They were so sure of the validity of fate, and were shown repeatedly that there is no escaping fate. They believed that their action were their own, but it was fate.