griots

Griots are traditional West African storytellers, musicians, and historians who preserve and transmit their community’s history, legends, and cultural values through storytelling, music, and poetry. Serving as living repositories of collective memory, they often perform at ceremonies, celebrations, and gatherings, using their skills to educate and entertain. Griots hold a respected position within their societies, acting as advisors, mediators, and custodians of cultural identity. Their role is vital in maintaining continuity, fostering community cohesion, and passing down traditions across generations.