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. ... In addition to serving as the primary storytellers of their people, griots have also served as advisers and diplomats.
What was a griot in Africa why were they important?
A griot is a West African storyteller, singer, musician, and oral historian. They train to excel as orators, lyricists and musicians. The griot keeps records of all the births, deaths, marriages through the generations of the village or family .
What does griot mean in Africa?
: any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies broadly : storyteller.
Can anyone become an African griot?
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 . ... The training for younger members born into a griot family is usually thorough spending years of listening and memorising.
What is a griot in Africa quizlet?
Before, Africa is ruled by the Roman empire) Griots. Griots are historians who are trained to remember all the important facts about their people . They are storytellers, poets and musicians.
What was a traditional African storyteller called?
A griot (/ˈɡriːoʊ/; French: [ɡʁi.o]; Manding: jali or jeli (in N’Ko: ߖߋߟߌ, djeli or djéli in French spelling); Serer: kevel or kewel / okawul; Wolof: gewel) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician.
What are three different environments found in Africa?
Africa has five main kinds of ecosystems: coastal environments, deserts and semideserts, mountain environments, savanna grasslands, and forests . Each ecosystem has its typical environment and climate, and the people who live there have adapted to its conditions and learned to use its resources.
What led to the fall of Ghana?
A terrible drought took hold of Ghana and gold mining fell into decline. Archaeologists have found evidence that confirms elements of the story, showing that until the 12th century, sheep and cows, as well goats, were abundant in the region.
What is a modern day griot?
Writer Gaylene Gould meets the modern performers who are re-inventing traditional West African music . Traditionally griots belong to particular West African families who act as oral historians, advisors, story-tellers and musicians for their culture. ...
What is the griot tradition?
Griots (meaning “blood of the society” in Mandinka language) are West African musicians, praise-singers, historians, storytellers, poets and advisors whose practices originate from 13th century Mali Empire. They are akin to living libraries who perpetuate wisdom and knowledge through the oral tradition .
How do Africans tell stories?
Repetition of the language , rhythm and gesture are important characteristics of African oral storytelling (Matateyou 1997). Storytellers repeat words, phrases, gestures and verses or stanzas. The utilisation of repetition techniques makes it easy to understand and recall the stories from memory.
Why is African storytelling important?
Storytelling in Africa provides entertainment , satisfies the curiosities of the African people, and teaches important lessons about everyday life. ... Storytellers repeat words, phrases, and stanzas. The use of repetition makes the stories easy to understand and recall from memory.
How do you become a griot?
Traditionally, in order to become a griot, you had to be born into a griot family . It was an art form passed from father to son, almost like an apprenticeship.
How did Christianity and Islam supplement native African religions in this period?
How did Christianity and Islam supplement native African religions in this period? ... Under Islam, women retained more freedoms, and under Christianity and Islam, it supplemented rather than replaced traditional religions .
Why was music and storytelling important in African societies quizlet?
Music played a part in almost all aspects of African life . People expressed their religious feelings or to get threw an everyday task. In many African song a singer calls out a line then other singers repeat it back. Africans also kept alive their storytelling tradition.
How did Islam spread into West Africa?
Islam first came to West Africa as a slow and peaceful process, spread by Muslim traders and scholars . The early journeys across the Sahara were done in stages. Goods passed through chains of Muslim traders, purchased, finally, by local non-Muslims at the southern most end of the route.
