Why were griots important to West African societies?
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 is a griot and why are 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.
Why are griots important to African culture?
Griots were an important part of the culture and social life of the village. The main job of the griot was to entertain the villagers with stories. They would tell mythical stories of the gods and spirits of the region. They would also tell stories of kings and famous heroes from past battles.
Who are the griots and what are their contributions to African society and African American blues?
The murky origins of the fascinating “Griots”, African magic men and their parallells to blues singers. In West Africa, a griot is a singer-historian who keeps the oral histories of families, tribes, and dynasties alive in song. Griots serve the same purpose as the bards and skalds of medieval European courts once did.
Why was music and storytelling important in African societies?
Storytelling in Africa has been manifested in many ways and was used to serve many purposes. It was used to interpret the universe, resolve natural and physical phenomena, teach morals, maintain cultural values, pass on methods of survival, and to praise God.
Why were storytellers important in African society?
They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture. There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling. Storytelling provides entertainment, develops the imagination, and teaches important lessons about every- day life.
Who is Sona jobarteh father?
Sanjally Jobarteh
How do griots tell stories?
They tell their stories to music using four principal instruments—the kora (a 21-string lute that sounds like a harp), the balafon, the ngoni, and the voice. … Griots usually carry this important responsibility from one generation to the next so that their stories may never be forgotten or lost.
What would happen if all the griots died off?
What would happen if all the griots died off? West Africans would have to rely on their written history to remember their past.
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.
How have West African folktales become a part of the culture in the Americas?
Many traditional folktales were brought to the Americas by West Africans who were sold into slavery beginning in the 1500s. The tales were spread orally among the enslaved Africans and their descendants. The folktales became part of the culture of North and South America and the West Indies.
What was the role of dance and music in ancient African culture?
Music and dancing is an integral part of many traditional African societies. Songs and dances facilitate teaching and promoting social values, celebrating special events and major life milestones, performing oral history and other recitations, and spiritual experiences.
What was the role of family in West Africa?
Family plays a central role in African society. It shapes such daily experiences as how and where individuals live, how they interact with the people around them, and even, in some cases, whom they marry. … In rural areas, the family typically remains the basic unit of agricultural production.
How did Islam spread into West Africa?
Following the conquest of North Africa by Muslim Arabs in the 7th century CE, Islam spread throughout West Africa via merchants, traders, scholars, and missionaries, that is largely through peaceful means whereby African rulers either tolerated the religion or converted to it themselves.
What role did family play in life in West Africa?
What role did families play in West African society? Families were the foundation for all social, economic, and government activity.