An Epic of Old Mali
Study Guide

Comprehension
1. What is the attitude of Sassouma Berete and other people in the kingdom toward Mari Djata?

2. What prediction does the soothsayer make about the king’s son?

3. What happens to Sogolon and her son after the king dies?

4. What surprising announcement does Mari Djata make after Sassouma Berete insults his mother?

5. What extraordinary feat does seven-year-old Mari Djata accomplish?

Interpret

6. What does the soothsayer mean when he tells the king, “great trees grow slowly”?

7. Why doesn’t Mari Djara respond to the crowds who torment and tease him?

8. What specific ways does this epic illustrate the importance of honor?

Literary Focus
Epic Conflict

9. How does Mari Djata respond to the way people react to his disability?

10. In what specific ways does Mari Djata’s disability contribute to his effectiveness as a leader?
Self-Test
from Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, D. T. Niane

1. What does the soothsayer mean when he says "great trees grow slowly"?
It takes time to nurture the qualities of greatness.
Large trees grow more slowly than small trees.
Great trees and rulers should be treated cautiously.

2. What is the probable reason Mari Djata does not respond to the crowds who torment and tease him?
He is shy.
He knows he will prove his superiority.
He knows that the teasing will grow worse if he responds.

3. In what way does this epic illustrate the importance of honor?
Mari Djata cannot triumph until he acts honorably.
Mari Djata grows strong enough to overcome those who dishonor him.
Mari Djata does not resist when Sogolon beats him.

4. What prediction does the soothsayer make about the king's son?
He says he will be the right hand to a mighty king.
He says he will cause bloodshed.
He says he must be exiled.

5. What extraordinary feat does seven-year-old Mari Djata accomplish?
He pulls a baobab tree up by its roots.
He pulls a ginger bush up by its roots.
He pulls a tiger away from Sassouma Bérété.

Extra Credit

Conduct Herb Research

In D. T. Niane's Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, Sogolon attempts to heal her son's infirmity with rare herbs. While we might think of herbs as spices used primarily in food preparation, herbs have been used for centuries as healing agents. Today, herbs like Echinacea and Gingko Blossom are gaining increased attention in this country as natural means for fighting common illnesses. What are some of the herbs Sogolon might have tried in her efforts to help her son, Djata?
Use the following key words on the Internet to research herbs that have been employed for medicinal purposes in ancient and modern times. Then, create an organized chart that reflects your findings.

Key Words:
herbal information center
medicinal herbs
After you have researched the medicinal uses of herbs in ancient and modern times, choose three herbs that you feel have been used over time in interesting ways. To organize your research in a logical manner, create a chart in which you list each herb by its common name. Be sure to title your chart so that it accurately describes what you are representing from your research, and choose headings for your chart that make your research clear.
You may want to divide your chart into "Ancient Uses" and "Modern Uses" and fill it in with the herb information you have collected. Leave room in your chart to include as much information about each herb's uses in ancient and modern times as you can find in your research.