Chapter 13: Newsela The Ancient Kingdom of Mali

What would life be like if a magician ruled the land? The history of ancient Mali gives us some ideas. The founder of this West African kingdom was known among his people as a man of magic who had more than a few tricks up his sleeve. 
Identify the hook.

• The founder of this West African kingdom was known among his people as a man of magic who had more than a few tricks up his sleeve. 
• What would life be like if a magician ruled the land? 
• The history of ancient Mali gives us some ideas. 
• However, before the Soso could settle in and enjoy the wealth, the great "sorcerer-king" Sundiata moved in to take over.

Sundiata claimed that Mali belonged to him by right of inheritance. In 1230 A.D. he defeated the Soso and took back the land. Legend says that Sundiata's rival, King Sumanguru, was also a sorcerer. Sumanguru conjured up the heads of eight spirits for assistance fighting Sundiata. But Sundiata had stronger magic. He defeated the eight heads and then shot an arrow, which grazed Sumanguru's shoulder, draining him of all of his magic. With a pat on the back, Sundiata declared himself ruler, or mansa, of the region. He set up a capital in the city of Niani.  What does mansa mean?

• Sundiata
• sorcerer
• rival
• ruler

Sundiata, also known as the "Lion King," was determined to make changes, and indeed he did. He decided to assign occupations to family groups and developed a social system for it. For example, anyone born into a family of warriors was destined to be a warrior. Anyone born into a family of djeli, or storytellers, had to join the djeli custom. Choice of career was not allowed.  Identify the Lion King.

• djeli
• storyteller
• warrior
• Sundiata

Sundiata, also known as the "Lion King," was determined to make changes, and indeed he did. He decided to assign occupations to family groups and developed a social system for it. For example, anyone born into a family of warriors was destined to be a warrior. Anyone born into a family of djeli, or storytellers, had to join the djeli custom. Choice of career was not allowed.  What does djeli mean?

• warrior
• family
• social system
• storyteller

Sundiata, also known as the "Lion King," was determined to make changes, and indeed he did. He decided to assign occupations to family groups and developed a social system for it. For example, anyone born into a family of warriors was destined to be a warrior. Anyone born into a family of djeli, or storytellers, had to join the djeli custom. Choice of career was not allowed.   

• Sundiata limited social mobility.
• Sundiata increased social mobility.

Sundiata limited social mobility.  Choice of career was not allowed. Conveniently for Sundiata and his family, this system meant that anyone born into a family of mansa was part of the line of rulers. The ruling dynasty was called the Keita. This was one of Sundiata's "tricks" to keep power in the family.  What does mansa mean?

• warrior
• storyteller
• family
• ruler

Conveniently for Sundiata and his family, this system meant that anyone born into a family of mansa was part of the line of rulers. The ruling dynasty was called the Keita. This was one of Sundiata's "tricks" to keep power in the family. For the most part, the system worked.  Keita refers to ___.

• the ruling dynasty
• Sundiata
• socerer
• magician

Mansa Musa led Mali to great riches. The kingdom was involved in the gold trade that swept through Africa and reached all the way to Europe. The region's wealth was nothing new. However, based on Egyptian records, Mansa Musa's display of the riches, and the way he distributed Mali's wealth, had not been seen before.  Identify the transition.

• reached
• distributed
• swept
• However,

In 1324, Mansa Musa set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca, a holy city for those who practice Islam. Wearing his finest clothes, Mansa Musa passed through Cairo with 500 slaves, each carrying a 6-pound staff of gold. With them were 100 camels, carrying over 30,000 pounds of the precious metal.  Mansa Musa was ___.

• Muslim
• Christian
• pagan
• impoverished

In 1324, Mansa Musa set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca, a holy city for those who practice Islam. Wearing his finest clothes, Mansa Musa passed through Cairo with 500 slaves, each carrying a 6-pound staff of gold. With them were 100 camels, carrying over 30,000 pounds of the precious metal.Surely this was a sight to behold. The accounts left behind say that the show got even better. While cruising through Cairo, Mansa Musa reportedly handed out gifts of gold to bystanders. He entertained the crowds and made a lucky few suddenly rich.  Why did Mansa Musa make the journey?

• His faith prompted him to set out on a hajj, or religious pilgrimage.
• He did not want to appear ostentatious, flashy, or showy.