How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
In his high voice, a singing griot sang endless verses about the past splendors of the kingdoms of Ghana, Songhai, and Old Mali. (12.11)
Kunta's born in Juffure, a small village in The Gambia, which is in West Africa. There, he is taught not only about his family's proud ancestral legacy, but also that of Africa as a whole, its rich history reaching back to ancient times. Not surprisingly, the dude has some serious pride.
Quote #2
"The elders say to Jong Sang Doo," said Omoro, "a land where slaves are sold to huge cannibals called toubabo koomi, who eat us. No man knows any more about it." (16.57)
Kunta and his fellow Mandinka tribesmen know very little about America, which they refer to as "Jong Sang Doo." All they know is that the toubob show up, steal people, and then throw them into a boat headed to parts unknown. What happens once those ships hit land, unfortunately, is anybody's guess.
Quote #3
"This is our village. No other well has such sweet water. No other trees' shade is as pleasant. No other kitchens smell of the cooking of our women." (18.21)
These lines are spoken by a few old villagers whose town was destroyed by toubob slave traders, but we think Kunta would express the same sentiment about his hometown of Juffure. No matter where he might go across this wide world, he'll always prefer his home.