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griot |
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griotAfrican tribal storyteller. The griot's role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of the tribe. Griots were usually among the oldest men. In places where written language is the prerogative of the few, the place of the griot as cultural guardian is still maintained. In Senegal, for example, the griot—without resorting to fantasy—recites poems or tells stories of warriors, drawing on his own sources of inspiration. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Chapter six, "Telling Histories" grapples with how West African griots now need new ways to maintain their roles as keepers of oral history. Above them, strung across the street, hung a huge banner announcing: "Visual Griots Exhibit: Photographs by Young Malians. One would expect the griots to be valued members of their societies, wrote Robert Palmer in Deep Blues, but in fact they are both admired, for they often attain considerable reputations and amass wealth, and despised, for they are thought to consort with evil spirits, and their praise songs, when not properly rewarded, can become venomous songs of insult. |
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