the Griots

Griots are traditional West African storytellers, historians, and musicians who preserve and pass down community histories, oral traditions, and cultural practices through storytelling, music, and poetry. Serving as living archives, they often perform at ceremonies, rites of passage, and communal gatherings, maintaining a vital link to heritage and identity. Griots possess deep knowledge of family lineages, legends, and historical events, sharing this wisdom across generations. Their roles blend artistry and cultural preservation, making them key custodians of their societies' collective memory and cultural continuity.