Griots
"Among the things existing in the world, speech is the only thing given birth in the world." Little discoveries lead to big discoveries. Speech is a link and establishes order. It includes images, metaphors, stories, and proverbs. The Griots of West Africa use speech to establish a link to the people. The Griots entertain and educate a village. Like the common folklore that we know, Griots memorize lineage, practice traditio
nal rituals, tell myths, pass on wisdom, sing songs of praise, and tell epics and history. If they continue, they educate themselves from the master Griot by learning about cooking, cleaning, instruments, genealogy, praise songs, and politics. Oral tradition is a part of the Griot tradition. They'll use televisions and generators, but the old speech will still be passed on. Griots use the old speech to tell myths and communicate. Oral traditions will be remembered and spoken as well as the process to preserve and pass on the Griot tradition. If this does not work out, they become commoners such as farmers and herders. For example, in Mali, using oral tradition, they say that if there is a full eclipse of the moon, it is because a black cat covers it and they drive it away using a drum. It is believed a Griot is born a Griot and it just takes time to release that, that is within. It'll reemerge when the time is right. They attend story events and apprenticeships. The nobles who support them are their benefactors. Even though it may become dormant, old speech will never die. The Griot tradition is passed on only if you are born into a specific caste.
Common topics in this essay:
West Africa,
West Africans,
,
griot tradition,
oral tradition,
tell myths,
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Acceptance Essays
