They can teach and entertain other people from different cultures. ... It would be important because a griots main job is to tell the oral traditions to people but if they can’t remember exactly the story could change or even not be passed down.
Why is the griot a very important person in West African culture?
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 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 were the griot and why were they important to African civilization?
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.
What is a griot and what role did they play in many early African kingdoms?
In many Mande societies, the jeli was an historian, advisor, arbitrator, praise singer (patronage), and storyteller . They essentially served as history books, preserving ancient stories and traditions through song. Their tradition was passed down through generations.
Why has oral tradition been so important in West Africa?
Oral tradition is important in west Africa because modern writers add to the oral legacy some have turned oral traditions to novels . ... What functions did music serve in west Africa? Music communicated ideas and values also expressed feelings and celebrated important evens such as weddings,funerals and ceramonies.
What is the importance of storytelling in African culture?
Storytelling in Africa provides entertainment, satisfies the curiosities of the African people , and teaches important lessons about everyday life. It is essentially a communal participatory experience.
How did a person’s lineage affect his or her life in African societies?
How did an individuals lineage affect his or her life in African societies? Lineage affects someone life as it depicts where and what you come from . Lineage can affect your career.
What was a popular folk tale for griots to tell?
One of the most celebrated epics is about Sunjata, “the lion thief who takes his inheritance ,” the founder of the Mali Empire. There is no single version of this story. Some historians believe that if all of the different chapters that people tell were combined into a single tale, it would take several days to recite!
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 2 Natural Resources were West Africa known for?
Africa’s two most profitable mineral resources are gold and diamonds .
What are two West African epics?
From West Africa. there are, for example, five Mande epics (including “Sunjata” and traditions. from Kaabu [Gabou] and Segu); three Soninke epics (including, of course, the story of Wagadu); the Wolof “Ndiadiane Ndiaye” (Njaajaan Njaay) and. “ Lat Dior ” epics; a Serere epic; five Fulbe traditions, including “Silamaka”
When did griots play in African society?
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.
What became the main language of government trade and Islamic scholarship in West Africa?
What became the main language of government, trade, and Islamic scholarship in West Africa? Arabic became the main language. ... He made such great impression on people that Mali became famous throughout Africa, Asia and Europe.
What can we learn about West African history from the Epic of Sundiata?
The Epic of Sundiata points up the complexities of the thirteenth century Sudan . Scholar Nehemia Levtzion calls it pivotal in the historical traditions of the Malinke. It delineates the time when many small states were struggling to fill the power vacuum left by the fall of Ghana.
Who are the Mande and why are they important?
The Mande peoples have been credited with the independent development of agriculture about 3000–4000 bc ; and upon this agricultural base rested some of the earliest and most complex civilizations of western Africa, including the Soninke state of Ghana and the empire of Mali, which reached its height early in the 14th ...
