
In their largest battle, Sundiata nicks Soumaoro with the arrow and the sorcerer king loses his power. Soumaoro retreats and escapes. Accompanied by Fakoli, Soumaoro’s nephew who revolted after being betrayed by his uncle, Sundiata pursues Soumaoro for several days. They finally trap him in a cave with nowhere to go; they have won.
How did Sundiata defeat Soumaoro Kante?
The people of Mandinka requested Sundiata to return and liberate his homeland to fulfil the prophesy. He was given an Army by the King of Mema and he rallied the warlords of Mali to defeat Soumaoro Kante in the famous battle of Kirina where Soumaoro was killed by Sundiata with a poisoned arrow.
How is Soumaoro portrayed in the Epic of Sundiata?
Soumaoro Kanté is portrayed as a villainous sorcerer-king in the national epic of Mali, the Epic of Sundiata. After his defeat at Kirina, he flees into the mountains of Koulikoro, where he "disappears" after being shot with only weapon to which he is vulnerable - an arrow with a white rooster spur arrowhead.
How did Mali fall to Soumaoro Kanté?
Mamoudou Kouyaté explains that while Sundiata was in exile, Mali fell to Soumaoro Kanté of Sosso. Upon Balla Fasséké 's arrival in Sosso, Soumaoro demanded that Mali pay tribute to Sosso. Soumaoro is a great sorcerer with many powerful fetishes (magical objects) who terrifies all other kings.
What news does Balla share with Sundiata about Soumaoro?
Nana Triban reminds Sundiata that since Soumaoro knows that she and Balla have escaped, he will avoid Sundiata in the battle. This makes him nervous, but Balla shares news that a soothsayer dreamed of the sorcerer king's end, and so the hero is calmed. Soumaoro's army is enormous, and outnumbers that of Sundiata.

When did Sundiata defeat Soumaoro?
After living in exile Sundiata at the age of 25, amassed an army through alliances with nearby Mandinka people and faced Soumaoro in the battle of Kirina in 1235. Legend has it that Sundiata Keita defeated Soumaoro Kante in the battle because he was a more powerful magician than Soumaoro.
What happened to Soumaoro?
Biography. Soumaoro Kanté is portrayed as a villainous sorcerer-king in the national epic of Mali, the Epic of Sundiata. After his defeat at Kirina, he flees into the mountains of Koulikoro, where he "disappears" after being shot with only weapon to which he is vulnerable - an arrow with a white rooster spur arrowhead.
How did Sundiata defeat Sumanguru?
Legend has it that Sundiata killed the Soso King, Sumanguru, with a poisoned arrow.
What is the outcome of the conflict between Sundiata and the Sorcerer King Soumaoro?
SundiataQuestionAnswerWhat is the outcome of the conflict between sundiata and soumaoroSoumaoro loses his sourcesWhat does sosso look like at the beginning of the battle of krinaIt is magnificentWhat does the sosso look like afterwardA disaster; remains empty12 more rows
Who defeated the Mali Empire?
Around 1468, King Sunni Ali of the Songhai Empire (r. 1464-1492) conquered the rump of the Mali Empire which was now reduced to controlling a small western pocket of its once great territory. What remained of the Mali Empire would be absorbed into the Moroccan Empire in the mid-17th century.
Why does Fakoli betray his uncle Soumaoro quizlet?
Why does Fakoli betray his uncle, Soumaoro? His mother has been insulted and abused by Sassouma Berete for his being unable to gather baobab leaves.
What forces did Sundiata have to overcome?
Forging a coalition of neighboring small kingdoms, Sundiata waged a war against the Sosso, finally Sundiata was later crowned with the title "Mansa," or "king of kings", as the first ruler of the Mali Empire.
Why was Sundiata Keita successful?
Sundiata Keita was the first ruler of the Mali Empire in the 13th century C.E. He laid the foundation for a powerful and wealthy African empire and proclaimed the first charter of human rights, the Manden Charter.
Who is Sundiata's main enemy?
The most powerful of the nine witches Sassouma assembles to kill Sundiata. A sorcerer king of Djedeba. He attempts to use sorcery to kill Sundiata at Sassouma's bidding. daughter of Mansa Konkon, the sorcerer king of Djedeba.
What happens at the end of Sunjata?
Sunjata rejoices at having recovered his griot so that the memory of his great deeds will be preserved. Climax/Final Battle: Sumanguru now advances to Krina and makes an official declaration of war against Sunjata who responds that he will not back down from the fight.
Who defeated Sundiata Keita?
1235), was a confrontation between the Sosso king Sumanguru Kanté and the Mandinka prince Sundiata Keita....Battle of KirinaSumanguru KantéSundiata Keita4 more rows
What is the summary of Sundiata?
Sundiata is a quasi-mythological biography of King Sundiata Keita, who founded the Mali Empire, which lasted from 1235 to 1400. The poem is also a central cultural narrative of the Mandinka people, who today live throughout Mali, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. Sundiata first appeared in written Arabic in the late 1800s.
Which of the following was Sundiata's biggest impact on the Malinese Mali Empire?
What did Sundiata focus on after Mali became an empire? After that, he took over salt/gold trade routes, and then improved agriculture.
Who attacked Kangaba in 1224?
Sumanguru, ruler of the neighbouring state of Kaniaga, overran Kangaba at the beginning of the 13th century and murdered all of Sundiata's brothers. According to tradition, Sundiata was spared because he was a sickly boy who already appeared to be near death.
Who led the struggle that broke Ghana Empire?
The empire became known in Europe and Arabia as the Ghana Empire after the title of its Emperor, the Ghana. The Empire appears to have broken up following the 1076 conquest by the Almoravid General Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar.
What is the summary of Sundiata?
Sundiata is a quasi-mythological biography of King Sundiata Keita, who founded the Mali Empire, which lasted from 1235 to 1400. The poem is also a central cultural narrative of the Mandinka people, who today live throughout Mali, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. Sundiata first appeared in written Arabic in the late 1800s.
What does Sundiata loses in exile?
Sundiata plays the game of Wori and wins (not loses), though the King goes back on his promise.
how did you feel about Mari Djata's feat at the end of the selection? Why?
I think this is asking for your opinion rather than mine.
How has the interaction between family history and the use of supernatural helped Sundiata fulfill his destiny?
Mali has a very complex relationship to magic and religion. While the society is infused with Islam, it maintains a polytheistic view of the world...
What does the narrator say about Soumaoro?
The narrator says that kings are men like any other and are subject to flattery. As such, Soumaoro listens to the music joyfully. When Balla Fasséké finishes his tune, Soumaoro claims him as his own griot. The narrator states that this act makes war between Sundiata and Soumaoro inevitable.
What is Balla Fasséké's balafon?
Balla Fasséké notices a huge balafon (a type of xylophone) and sits down to play. The balafon is extremely beautiful. The creatures in the room stir and seem to listen to the music. Balla Fasséké realizes that the balafon has never been touched by anyone but Soumaoro, who comes after his victories to sing his own praises. Further, Soumaoro is connected to the balafon and knows that someone is in his chamber.
Why does Dankaran give up his griot?
Dankaran Touman shows himself to be cowardly when faced with this threat. He gives up not only his griot, but also his sister in order to protect his own life. Active Themes. One day while Soumaoro is out hunting, Balla Fasséké sneaks into Soumaoro's secret chamber.
How many owls did Soumaoro see?
He inspects the strange weapons on the walls, notices three sleeping owls, and realizes the skulls are those of nine kings that Soumaoro killed. The extent of Soumaoro's power is illustrated through his display of the heads and skins of his conquests, which he uses as magical objects.
Does Balla Fasséké help Sundiata?
However, Balla Fasséké is necessary to Sundiata's success, as Sundiata's memory won't live on if he cannot retrieve his griot to tell his story. This indicates that Sundiata’s goal isn't just the conquest of Mali, it's earning a place in memory. Active Themes. Related Quotes with Explanations.
Who did Soumaoro keep?
Active Themes. Soumaoro kept Balla Fasséké but let the rest of his embassy return to Niani, bearing a threat that Soumaoro would destroy Niani if Dankaran Touman didn't submit. The king submitted and sent his sister, Nana Triban, to Soumaoro. Dankaran Touman shows himself to be cowardly when faced with this threat.
Is Soumaoro a powerful king?
Soumaoro is described as absolutely terrifying and extremely powerful. Unlike Sundiata, who inspires love and trust, Soumaoro inspires terror. Keep in mind that even the powerful King Soumaba Cissé of Ghana has submitted to Soumaoro—So umaoro 's physical reach extends as far as Sundiata's travels. Active Themes.
How did Sundiata bring stability?
He brought in political stability by gaining the confidence of various warlords and chieftains whom he allowed to operate independently, under his rule. He appeased his subjects by following tribal rituals and customs as per their beliefs.
Why did Sundiata return to his homeland?
After being exiled by his half-brother, he returned to his homeland to liberate it from the tyrannical rule of Soumaoro Kante of Sosso, who had invaded Kangaba. He went on to expand his territory by conquering the great Empire of Ghana and set up his capital in Niani. Sundiata was a brave warrior and statesman.
What were Sundiata Keita's achievements?
Achievements. Sundiata Keita was the architect of the most powerful army of Mali. He stood out as a great leader who could gain the confidence of his generals and warlords while giving them the freedom to operate within his suzerainty. Besides a strong army with which he expanded his empire, Sundiata Keita developed trade and agriculture in ...
Why did Sundiata Keita perform tribal rituals?
In order to appease his subjects, Sundiata Keita performed tribal rituals that were believed to be necessary to bring prosperity to his people.
How many brothers does Sundiata have?
Sundiata Keita had 12 brothers, including half-brothers from his father’s first marriage. The word Keita means inheritor in the Mandinka language. His real surname from the lineage of his father was Konate. However, he chose to take the clan name of Keita. Sundiata Keita was a frail child and crippled from birth.
Where was Sundiata born?
Sundiata Keita was born in the year 1217 AD in the town of Niani, which is a part of the present day Guinea. His father, Nare Maghann Konate, and mother, Sogolon Conde, belonged to the royal house of Keita who ruled the small kingdom of Kangaba.
What is Sundiata's clan name?
However, he chose to take the clan name of Keita. Sundiata Keita was a frail child and crippled from birth. His mother was ridiculed because of her ugliness and hunch back. This made Sundiata determined to overcome his disability and one day he miraculously got up and starting walking.

Summary of Soumaoro Kanté, The Sorcerer King
- While the exiles are away, Mali has fallen to Soumaoro despite Dankaran Touman's attempt to appease him by sending an embassy. Soumaoro has kept Balla Fasséké and Sundiata's half-sister Nana Triban. The griot tells of the cruel king – he is descended from a line of smiths that had harnessed fire, and with this power turned Sosso from a small villag...
Summary of History
- This section begins what the griot calls "the great moments in the life of Sundiata. The exile will end and another sun will rise. It is the sun of Sundiata." The griot sings the praise of griots, who rescue the "memories of kings from oblivion, as men have short memories." There follows an interesting attack on written history; here the griot sings of "dumb books" that "killed the faculty …
Summary of The Baobab Leaves
- In Mema, Sundiata grows unhappy and restless. Not only has he heard about the fall of Mali and the nascent rebellion led by Fakoli Koroma, he must contend with his mother's recurring illness. Meanwhile, his sister Kolonkanhas grown older and is now of a marriageable age. One day, while at the market, she sees merchants selling baobab leaves, which are unknown this far from Niani…
Analysis
- These sections read as though they might have come after an intermission in the griot's tale. Not only do the first two sections remind the reader of details already shared, but they ramp them up significantly, as though to excite the audience. In his namesake section, Soumaoro is portrayed in much darker tones than he has thus far been presented. He is described as an "evil demon" and …