West African Griots are historians,
storytellers, traditional praise
singers and musicians. Their roles
are hereditary and their surnames
identify them as Griots. For
example, Toumani Diabate of Mali
comes from 70 generations of Griots.
His father, Sidiki Diabate was
considered the “King of the Kora” in
Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali
and The Gambia. When he died,
memorials were held in each of these
countries, attended by foreign
diplomats, government officials and
musicians. The most famous Griot in
each of these countries was chosen
to preside over the memorials and to
celebrate the life of Sidiki Diabate
by “singing his praises” and
recounting his life story.
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