Griots
Contributed by: Rosemary Mullally
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.
Malian Griots, both women and men, are always
present at the social rites; birth, marriage and death.
Many Griots are “family Griots” and have been associated with a
single family for generations. These Griots are the
repositories of the family’s genealogy and history. During a
marriage ceremony, it is not unusual for the family Griot to recount
the story of an ancestor’s marriage that occurred centuries ago;
detailing gifts given, attendants and the beauty of the bride.
In a given community, a
Griot who attends a social occasion usually knows everyone and their
families. To honor a guest or host, the Griot will recount a
story about their family and/or praise the person’s business acumen,
number of children, honesty and generosity. This praise
singing is usually accompanied by the traditional music of the
djembe, balafon and kora. During the event, in
acknowledgment of the Griot’s talent and praises, cash gifts are
given, the size of the gift dependent upon the renown of the Griot
and the affluence of the host and guests. Competitions in gift
giving frequently occur, adding to the reputation of the most
generous giver and occasioning louder and longer praises from the
Griot.
As an African American living
in a country and a society of Africans, I can’t help but feel proud,
yet saddened. Proud that not every part of our African culture
was erased by our enforced journey into slavery, yet saddened that
so much of our history and knowledge is lost. African American
Griots do exist in the form of our historians, writers, actors,
musicians, parents, grandparents and our selves.
We
sing the praises of our ancestors, we tell their
stories, we
give them their rightful place in history
and we
are the keepers of their memories.
As we research our families,
let us become a part of the gift giving competition, bestowing our
gifts of knowledge upon our fellow Griots, sharing information and
resources, praising each other’s successes. May our loud and
long praises echo down the centuries, from generation to generation,
never ending.
Rosemary Mullally
American Grio
Bamako , Mali
January 2005
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