Sogolon realized that Sassouma's jealousy and anxiety about the hunters' prediction placed her family in danger. So she decided to take Sundiata away from Mali to a safe place. But finding such a haven was difficult. Many of Mali's neighbors were afraid that if they sheltered Sogolon and her son, Dankaran Touman and Sassouma would seek revenge. So Sundiata and his mother traveled far to the kingdom of Mema, where the king offered them sanctuary.

There, Sundiata grew into a strong man. As the people of Mema watched him, they realized that the once-weak boy had become as strong as a lion, and they sent him to fight wars with Moussa Tounkara, their greatest general. Sundiata himself became an excellent soldier and also formed a mighty cavalry. He proved to be such a good warrior that the king of Mema made him the heir to the throne. But Sogolon did not let Sundiata forget his prophesied future. Even though he had come to love the people of Mema as his own kin, Sundiata could not stay among them. He had to return to Mali and fulfill his destiny.