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griot

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griot

African 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.



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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.
In fact, our nickname was "Reading Women Plus One" when Stanley Butler, a local griot and librarian, became our first male member," says Harriel-Timmons, adding that the only criterion for membership is a love of books.
On about three dozen albums, Keita's glorious sound adds up to an intoxicating blend of the traditional griot music of his childhood, along with influences from Guinea, the Ivory Coast and Senegal, plus elements from Cuba, Spain and Portugal.
 
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