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What role did griots play in West African society?
The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. The griots’ role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part of the griot’s repertoire.
Who were griots and what role did they play in African life?
A griot is a West African storyteller, singer, musician, and oral historian.
What griots mean?
storyteller
Definition of griot : any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies broadly : storyteller.
Who could be a griot?
A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet or musician. The griot is often seen as a leader due to his or her position as an advisor to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, he or she is sometimes called a bard.
What is a griot How do they pass on history?
Griots were also the historians of Ancient Africa. They would keep track and memorize the history of the village including births, deaths, marriages, droughts, wars, and other important events. The stories and historical events would then be passed down from generation to generation.
How are griots chosen?
Traditionally, griots were of a social caste, the art and important position of storytelling passed down from generations of griot families and as such, not just anyone could become a griot. After this final test, the young griot is then given his/her own instrument.
How did the griots come to the West?
Since the 13th century, when Griots originated from the West African Mande empire of Mali, they remain today as storytellers, musicians, praise singers and oral historians of their communities. The training for younger members born into a griot family is usually thorough spending years of listening and memorising.
What is the role of griots in West Africa?
Griot, Mande jeli or jali, Wolof gewel, West African troubadour-historian. The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. The griots’ role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part of the griot’s repertoire.
What does griot stand for?
Griot, Mande jeli or jali, Wolof gewel, West African troubadour-historian. The griot profession is hereditary and has long been a part of West African culture. The griots’ role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people; praise songs are also part…
How did the stories of the griots become the history?
The stories and historical events would then be passed down from generation to generation. Because there was no written record of the village history, the stories of the griots became the history and the only record of past events. The griot also was the musician for the village. Different griots played different instruments.
What is a griot in African music?
Some of the most popular African musicians today consider themselves griots and use traditional compositions in their music. Most griots today are traveling griots. They move from town to town performing at special occasions like weddings. Most griots were men, but women can also be griots.