Quote 1
"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 2
"All men make mistakes. I lost a goat to a lion when I was of your rains. [...] I learned, and you must learn. Never run toward any dangerous animal." (21.18)
Kunta's terrified of Omoro's wrath when his inattention leads a goat to be chewed up by a panther, but Omoro instead treats it as a teachable moment. That's some quality dad work right there. Instead of holding his son's failure over his head, he uses it to bring them closer together.
Quote 3
"Grandmother Nyo Boto also is a slave," said Omoro, and Kunta almost swallowed a mouthful of palm fruit. (16.21)
This is so shocking to Kunta because Nyo Boto is the toughest, most outspoken woman in the whole village. Who could own a person like her? This is yet another indication that slavery functioned differently in Africa and America.