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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the king feel when Manding Bory is born?

2. Why does the hunter revere small seeds?

3. How many wives does Sundiata's father have?

4. What appears in the sky at the moment that Sagolon's baby is born?

5. What is the name of Sassouma's son, who is set to inherit the king's throne?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sundiata honor his memory of the old buffalo woman?

2. How have Sundiata's friends been living since the fall of Mali?

3. Why does Fassyky ask for a private conference with Fran Kamara upon returning to Mali?

4. Why do Sundiata and Soumaoro continue to battle with each other even after the initial fight that wiped out Soumaoro's men?

5. Why does Sundiata threaten the king of Mema, Tounkara?

6. How have Sundiata's childhood friends sought to help him in his return to Mali?

7. Who is Sassouma, and how does she react to Sogolon?

8. How does Sassouma treat Sologon once Dankaran rises to power?

9. What happens when Mali wages war against Kanty?

10. How does Djata learn to walk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the story opens, Djeli Mamoudou Koutate is introduced to the readers as a local griot. Briefly describe the role griots play in African culture and then compare / contrast the role griots played during Sundiata's time with their role in the culture today. How does the use of a griot in Sundiata's tale affect the way it is expressed to the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the text, sorcery plays a large role in belief system of the Malian people. Give examples of two characters who believed in the power of sorcery, and explain how they exhibited their beliefs. Then, explain how sorcery affected the battles for Mali in either a positive or negative manor.

Essay Topic 3

Jealousy is one of the most focused on themes of "Sundiata" and there are many lessons to learn on this topic. Briefly describe two characters in the book who are jealous of Sundiata. How do these characters express their jealousy? At the end of the book, how are the jealous actions of these two characters rewarded or punished? What lesson is there to be learned about jealousy through the characters of the book?

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