PlayInfoBox

Home /Education /West African Griot Tradition: A Complete Guide

West African Griot Tradition: A Complete Guide

The griot is the oral historian of West Africa's Mande cultural region, carrying history forward through song and story. Here are the key concepts worth knowing.

Who is a griot?

Griot refers to people in West Africa's Mande cultural region who have professionally preserved and transmitted oral history, music, and genealogy. "Griot" is a widely used French-derived outside term; within the tradition itself, people are known by names such as jeli, jali, or gewel depending on the region.

A hereditary professional class

Griots traditionally belong to a hereditary professional class passed down within specific families, learning oral history, music, and eloquence from elders from a young age. This hereditary system has historically served to reliably pass knowledge and skill on to the next generation.

The kora, the griot's signature instrument

The kora is a traditional instrument that blends the harp and the lute, with 21 strings stretched across a large gourd resonator. It is considered the instrument most associated with griot music, plucked with the fingers and often used to narrate stories through song.

The balafon, a wooden xylophone

The balafon is a percussion instrument made of wooden keys over gourd resonators, with a long history in Mande culture. Alongside the kora, griots have used the balafon to relay the stories of historical events and figures through music.

Carrying history and genealogy through oral tradition

In an era when written records were not widely used, griots memorized the genealogies of kings and noble families and major historical events, passing them down through song and story like a living history book. Griot oral tradition remains an important source in the historical study of Mande culture today.

Role as a social mediator

Griots have taken on a range of social roles beyond conveying songs and stories β€” mediating disputes between parties and delivering blessings at important social occasions such as weddings.

The Mande cultural region and the griot tradition

The griot tradition is carried on widely across countries that once belonged to the historic Mande cultural region, including present-day Mali, Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea. Much of what is known about the Mali Empire, which flourished around the 13th century, survives today largely through griot oral tradition.

A tradition carried into modern music

Today, many musicians from griot families reinterpret traditional music in contemporary form and perform on international stages. Traditional instruments like the kora and balafon are now also widely played in combination with modern popular music.

Why they are called "living libraries"

In periods of West African history when written records were rare, griots carried vast amounts of historical information β€” royal genealogies, wars, treaties β€” in memory and passed it to the next generation. This is why griots are often compared to "living libraries" or "talking history books."

More than musicians β€” a social role

A griot is not simply a musician who sings songs, but has long been regarded as someone who performs a range of roles within the community, from delivering blessings to mediating disputes and giving counsel. This wide-ranging social function is part of what has given griots a unique and important standing across many West African societies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it fine to just use the word "griot"?

"Griot" is a term widely used in French-language scholarship and popular usage, so it is generally understood, but communities themselves use their own names, such as "jeli" or "jali." When discussing a specific region or ethnic group, it is more accurate to also note the local term.

What kind of music is the kora typically used in?

It was traditionally used in narrative songs and court music, but today it is also widely played across genres including jazz and world music. The kora's distinctively clear, rich tone continues to inspire musicians in many countries.