Answer to Question #309791 in History for rinoko

Question

Summarize the experience of Ma’an Sunjata as a child

Answer 1

Sundiata encounters two challenges during his childhood: first, the king's first wife Sassouma Bérété spreads terrible tales about him and Sogolon in an attempt to enhance her own son's status; and second, he is crippled and does not walk until the age of seven. Despite his physical handicaps, his father recognizes his son's wisdom and bestows upon him griot Balla Fasséké, the son of his own griot. Soon afterwards, the king dies, and his eldest son, Dankaran Touman, is granted control by the elders, who see little potential in the disabled youngster. When Sogolon is humiliated by the queen mother, Sundiata employs a rod to assist him in standing on two legs, and his power is evident from that day forward.