Griot

A griot (; French: ɡʁi.o; Manding: jali or jeli (N'Ko: ߖߋ߬ߟߌ), also spelled djeli or djéli in French spelling; Serer: kevel, kewel, or okawul; Wolof: gewel) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, and/or musician. Griots are masters of oral communication and memorized storytelling — a core African tradition.

Instead of relying on written records, griots preserve history through oral performance, often blending poetry, music, and performance to entertain and educate their audience. This oral transmission has allowed many African histories to survive for centuries without being written down.

Griots preserve and pass on cultural values, especially among the Senegalese, Wolof, and other West African Muslim communities. Many illiterate communities rely on griots to connect with their past. Griots are also advisors to royalty, mediators in disputes, and repositories of community memory.

Etymology and Terminology

The word griot may derive from the French guiriot, a transliteration of the Portuguese criado, meaning 'servant'.
Griots are known by many names across languages:
- Manding: ߖߋ߬ߟߌ jèli / jali
- Wolof: guewel
- Serer: kevel, kewel
- Pulaar (Fula): gawlo (𞤺𞤢𞤱𞤤𞤮)
- Hassaniyan: iggawen
- Yoruba: arokin
- Soninke: diari or gesere
The Manding word jeliya (ߖߋߟߌߦߊ) means "musicianhood", emphasizing the hereditary and professional nature of the griot tradition.
In Mande culture, jali is rooted in the word for blood — ߖߊߟߌ — highlighting deep lineage and ancestral ties.
Preferred spellings today include djeli, favored by artists and scholars such as Amiri Baraka and Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda.

Role of the Griot

Traditional Role

Griots form endogamous castes — they usually marry other griots.
Traditionally, every king or emperor had a griot; every griot had a jatigi (patron or noble sponsor).
Griots document life events including:
- Births
- Deaths
- Marriages
- Battles
- Political affairs
- Social disputes
Their work is musical and poetic, often performed at ceremonies, such as weddings or royal gatherings.
Griots mediate conflict, using their respected position to initiate peace talks.

Quotes

"The West African griot is a troubadour... He is a living archive of the people's traditions..."
— Francis Bebey, African Music: A People's Art

"There are many women griots whose talents as singers and musicians are equally remarkable."

In the Mali Empire

The Mali Empire peaked in the 14th century and extended from Chad and Niger to Burkina Faso and Senegal.
Founded by Sundiata Keita, whose life is told in the Epic of Sundiata.
His griot, Balla Fasséké, is seen as the founder of the Kouyaté griot line, still active today.
In Mande society, no griot is without a jatigi, and vice versa. Griots could be loaned between noble families.

In Mande Society

The jeli was a:
- Historian
- Advisor
- Arbitrator
- Praise singer
- Storyteller
Speech is seen as powerful — capable of recreating history and social bonds.
Griots were once buried in trees to avoid "polluting the earth" — evidence of historical marginalization.
Even today, griots face discrimination and social barriers (e.g., marrying outside their caste).
This discrimination is now legally outlawed.

Musical Instruments Used by Griots

Griots are also instrumentalists, playing:

Stringed Instruments

Kora – 21-string lute-bridge-harp
Khalam (xalam) – Lute with a gourd resonator
Ngoni – Small lute with 5–6 strings
Goje – Bowed string instrument (similar to fiddle)
Kontigi – One-string lute

Percussion & Other Instruments

Balafon – Wooden xylophone
Junjung – War drum

The kora may trace back to ancient Egypt. The khalam is considered an ancestor of the modern banjo.

Toumani Diabaté’s Kora Story

One of Diabaté’s ancestors chased his fiancée into a cave. When he emerged, the first kora had appeared — but she had vanished. In her honor, he played it with 22 strings. Upon his death, one string was removed, leaving 21.

Present-Day Griots

Griots are still present across West Africa, including among: - Mande peoples (Mandinka, Malinké, Bambara, etc.) - Fulɓe (Fula) - Hausa - Wolof - Serer - Mossi - Dagomba - Songhai - Mauritanian Arabs

Modern Adaptation

Some griots now perform globally, spreading African heritage.
They teach, perform, and participate in charity, education, and activism.

Bakari Sumano

President of the Association of Bamako Griots (1994–2003)
Advocated for the cultural and social importance of griots in Mali.

Paco Samb (Senegalese griot in the U.S.)

Leads Super Ngewel Ensemble and McDaniel College’s African Drum Ensemble.
Quote: > "If you are griot, you have to follow your history and your family... You have to be traditional and share your culture."

Griots and Hip Hop

Similarities

Both extemporize on current events.
Both are storytellers, educators, and musical performers.

Differences

Griots: Serve nobles, sing praises.
Rappers: Speak truth to power.

"Ancient griots served kings. Modern rappers serve the people."
— Thiat, rapper from Jeur Gui

"In Hip Hop culture, we don't praise anybody… They ask for money; we hustle."
— Duggy Tee, Positive Black Soul

Notable Griots by Country

Burkina Faso

Sotigui Kouyaté
Dani Kouyaté
Dramane Koné

Côte d'Ivoire

Tiken Jah Fakoly

The Gambia

Lamin Saho
Foday Musa Suso
Jaliba Kuyateh
Sona Jobarteh
Papa Susso
Jali Nyama Suso

Ghana

Osei Korankye

Guinea

Djanka Tassey Condé
Mory Kanté
N'Faly Kouyate

Guinea Bissau

Nino Galissa
Buli Galissa

Mali

Toumani Diabaté
Ballaké Sissoko
Mamadou Diabaté
Bako Dagnon
Cheick Hamala Diabaté

Mauritania

Dimi Mint Abba
Malouma

Nigeria

Dan Maraya Jos
Muhammadu Shata

Senegal

Youssou N'Dour
Thione Seck
Coumba Gawlo Seck
Yande Codou Sene

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