Full Description
Griots, a uniquely African profession, fulfill a variety of roles as genealogists, historians, spokespersons, diplomats, musicians, teachers, praise singers, and advisors. Telling the story of these remarkable wordsmiths and performers, Thomas A. Hale addresses the nature of their verbal and musical art, the role of female griots, or griottes, how griots and griottes fit into their societies, and what their future might be in Africa and the rest of the world.
Contents
Introduction
1. A Job Description for Griots
2. The Origin of Griots
3. The Verbal Art of Griots
4. Music across the Griot World
5. The Making of a Griot
6. Would You Want Your Daughter to Marry One?
7. Griottes: Unrecognized Female Voices
8. From the Courtyards of the Nobility to a Global Audience
9. The Value of Words
10. New Millennium Griots
Appendices
Selected Bibliography
Index
