Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali

According to the narrator of Sundiata, the story of Mari Djata's childhood illustrates that

• A. kings are not born, they are made.

• B. you cannot tell people's worth from the way they look.

• C. the least likely people often become kings.

• D. a person's destiny is determined at birth.

In Sundiata, why is Mari Djata so calm while he is being tormented?

• A. He knows that when the time is right, he will be king.

• B. He feels depressed and powerless because of his fate.

• C. He does not care about anyone but himself.

• D. He does not have the courage to resist his tormentors.

Like many other epic heroes, Mari Djata

• A. has a great talent that everyone recognizes.

• B. has parents who believe in him.

• C. has a special burden that he must overcome.

• D. has not been marked by destiny.

Why does King Naré Maghan briefly lose hope in Sundiata?

• A. He wants to trust Sogolon, but he fears she will overthrow him.

• B. He wants to trust Sassouma, but he fears she has betrayed him.

• C. He wants to trust the soothsayer, but he finds his prediction hard to believe.

• D. He wants to trust the griot, but he finds his stories untrustworthy.

When the king asks the soothsayer about Mari Djata, what does the soothsayer mean when he says, “Great trees grow slowly but they plunge their roots deep into the ground"?

• A. Mari Djata will best serve the people if he is put in charge of forests.

• B. Although Mari Djata is developing slowly, he will someday be great.

• C. Mari Djata is slow-witted, but he is deeply loyal to his country and people.

• D. Mari Djata will be dead and buried long before he can grow to be king.

One aspect of ancient Mali culture that causes conflict in Sundiata is that

• A. kings could have many wives.

• B. kings had no respect for law.

• C. griots could easily manipulate kings.

• D. soothsayers and griots competed.

Why is Sassouma's treatment of Sogolon and Mari Djata described in such detail in Sundiata?

• A. to show her belief in fate and destiny

• B. to show how much she loves and protects her son

• C. to show her error in being jealous and mocking destiny

• D. to show her unhappiness with the king

According to Sundiata, what was the significance of the griot in Mali culture?

• A. He was a storyteller who spent all his time entertaining children.

• B. He was a storyteller who was also a trusted adviser to the king.

• C. He was a soothsayer who foretold important events.

• D. He was a soothsayer who also worked as a blacksmith.

Before his death, the king shows that Mari Djata will be his successor by giving the boy

• A. a crown.

• B. an iron rod.

• C. a soothsayer.

• D. a griot.

What happens immediately after the king's death in Sundiata?

• A. Mari Djata assumes power; Soussama's son plots revenge.

• B. Sogolon assumes power; Soussama plots revenge.

• C. Soussama becomes all powerful; Sogolon and her son are persecuted.

• D. Sogolon becomes all powerful; Soussama and her son are persecuted.