Sassouma Bereté (or Berete) was the first wife of the 13th century King of Mali Maghan Kon Fatta, the father of Sundiata Keita.
Everything that is known about Sassouma came from the Epic of Sundiata Keita (the first Emperor of the Mali Empire), passed down by Mandinka griots since the 13th century.
After the death of Naré Maghann, she feared that Sogolon's would usurp the throne of her own son, Dankaran Touman, and thus plotted with her son to kill Sundiata Keita.
[1][2] In the epic, Sassouma Bereté is regarded as "politically ambitious", and a "despised wife" who contravenes the social norms of Mande society.
[3] However, she is also viewed as a rather strong woman, who have played a major role in her son's succession to the throne.