Roots: The Saga of an American Family Kunta Kinte Quotes

Kunta Kinte > Kizzy

Quote 1

"Gran'mammy say de African make us know who we is!"

"He do dat!" said Gran-mammy Kizzy, beaming.

For the first time in a long time, Chicken George felt that his cabin was his home again. (97.43)

This one's a biggie, as it shows us that the family is literally held together by the oral traditions passed down from Kunta through Kizzy. Chicken George sometimes struggles to be a family man, but Kunta's legacy is a constant reminder of the importance of staying together.

Kunta Kinte > Kizzy

Quote 2

"You can't be nobody's frien' an' slave both."

"How come, Pappy?"

"'Cause frien's don't own one 'nother." (74.71-73)

Kunta might as well drop the mic after this one. Although Kizzy doesn't understand it now, she'll learn this lesson the hard way when Missy Anne abandons her when she is being sold, despite her being the one to teach her how to read in the first place.

Kunta Kinte

Quote 3

"You done got snatched over here, an' got your foot cut, you thinks you been through all dey is! Well, you ain't de only one had it bad." (54.13)

Kunta tends to retreat into himself when he undergoes suffering, but the fiddler's saying here that he is far from the only one who's had to deal with such painful stuff. Instead of being a bummer, however, this warms Kunta's heart. It shows him that he is not alone in his suffering, and that others will help him bear it.