Sundiata Lesson

Match the following

• hot coal or ash

• cinder

• relatives who came before you

• ancestors

• an oral historian

• extinguish

• to control

• dominate

• put out

• griot

Drag labels to correct zones on map.

b

a

c

Mediterranean Sea

Sahara Desert

Atlantic Ocean

As King Maghan was dying, what did he do to show that he wished Sundiata

to become the next king?

• He made a royal decree stating that Sundiata should be king.

• He gave Sundiata a griot.

• He had a baobob tree planted for Sundiata.

Sundiata's mother fled into exile with her son because he ​ (a)   that Dankaran​ would ​ (b)   .​

• feared
• have him killed
• guessed
• throw him a festival

Reorder the following

• Sundiata killed Sumanguru with a "magical arrow"

• Sundiata's army started by fighting bravely against the sorcerer king Sumanguru

• Sundiata began to lose the fight.

• Sundiata's army became outnumbered.

"Sundiata" means...

• Hungering Lion

• Great Emperor

• Crippled Child

What type of empire was Mali?

• all agricultural

• mining only

• trade-based

Answer the following question correctly, using complete sentences and support from the text.

            (1-2 pt. Correct Answer)           (1-2 pt. Complete Sentences)         (1-2 pt. Support from Text)

           

   After Sundiata defeated Sumanguru in battle, what became of the 12 kingdoms?

Answer explanation

Sundiata invited the leaders of all the 12 kingdoms of the savannah to come to Kaba, a city in old Mali.  There he told them they could keep their kingdoms, but that all would now join in a great, new empire.   From that day forth, Sundiata's word became the law respected throughout the 12 kingdoms.  The Empire of Mali was born, a trading empire stretching from the forests of the south, far into the Sahara, north of the Great Niger River bend.

Sundiata, the "Hungering Lion," ruled over this massive, thriving empire until his death in the year 1255.   His empire survived for more than twocenturies.   Ibn Khaldun wrote, "The authority of the people of Mali became mighty.   All the nations of the Sudan stood in awe of them, and the merchants of North Africa traveled to their country."

Sundiata's victory over Sumanguru marked the beginning of the new Empire of Mali.  Sundiata's courage is legendary.  

Although he deserves the "lion's share" of the credit, he would be the first to admit that he did not achieve all he is credited with alone.   Who else do you think helped Sundiata make Mali a peaceful and wealthy place?

Write a SHORT paragraph about who you think helped Sundiata. Give two clear examples to explain why you think so.