Definition
griot
noun
- A West African storyteller, musician, or historian who preserves and recounts the oral traditions, genealogies, and history of a community or family.
Usage: Often capitalized when referring to a specific person or tradition; Common in Francophone West African cultures, particularly among Mandinka and other groups
Examples
- The griot sang the epic of Sundiata, recounting the founding of the Mali Empire.
- In many West African villages, the griot serves as the keeper of family history and cultural memory.
- The griot's role combines that of musician, poet, and oral historian.
- Young griots learn their craft by apprenticing with elder storytellers.
- At the celebration, the griot performed traditional songs and shared ancestral stories.