
African griots
African griots are traditional storytellers, musicians, and oral historians who preserve and transmit their community’s history, culture, and values through storytelling, music, and praise singing. Originating from West Africa, they often serve as advisers, mediators, and custodians of ancestral knowledge, ensuring cultural continuity across generations. Griots are highly respected for their skills, deep knowledge, and ability to weave history into engaging performances, using instruments like the kora or balafon. They play a vital role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural identity within their communities through their expressive oral traditions.