Griot
West African hereditary storyteller, singer and keeper of oral history.
Also: jeli, djeli, guewel
A griot, or jeli in Mande languages, is a West African poet, musician and historian whose family has held the role for generations. Griots recite genealogies, epics and praise songs at weddings, naming ceremonies and royal courts, often accompanied by the kora, a 21-string harp lute, the balafon or the ngoni. They are the memory of a community and mediators in disputes. The epic of Sundiata, founder of the Mali empire, is passed down by griots. Respected and sometimes feared for their words, they have adapted to modern times, with many becoming recording artists, while others still serve village families.
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa