All Flashcards
What is a griot?
West African historian, storyteller, and musician; keeper of oral tradition.
What are oral traditions?
The means by which knowledge is passed down through generations by word of mouth.
Who are griottes?
Female griots who often focused on family life and relationships.
Define Timbuktu's significance.
Major center of learning in the Mali Empire, attracting scholars in various fields.
What is the Epic of Sundiata?
A cornerstone of West African oral tradition telling the story of Sundiata Keita.
What is the significance of griot performances?
They convey important lessons, values, and history, shaping collective identity.
How did griots use music?
To entertain, educate, and connect with audiences, making history come alive.
How did griottes contribute to culture?
By preserving knowledge of family life, relationships, and domestic matters.
What does the image of Griot Basimana with a guitar represent?
The fusion of traditional griot practices with modern instruments, showing adaptability.
Compare male and female griot roles.
Male griots often focused on politics, warfare, and public affairs. Female griots often focused on family life, relationships, and domestic matters.