BéréSanké Percussion, Kocassalé Dioubaté, Hand-made drums, Workshops, Performances

Hand-made African drums, instruments, music, workshops and performances.

Griots

For centuries the Griot (also known as a Jéli or Jaliba) has been the Mandingo tribe’s living memory and the guardian of the tribe’s history. They share the stories, lessons and principles of their heritage through music.

 

There is a saying - "When a Griot dies in Africa, it's like a library burning down" – which testifies to the outstanding significance of the Griot in a society without a written tradition.

 

A Griot is a hereditary role and the Griot families can trace their origins and status from the very first Mandingo Griot - Nyankuma Duga Kuyaté. In the Mandinka language, the Griot family is known as nyamakala, or nyamalo, and includes the Kuyaté, Dioubaté and Cissoko families.

 

The Griot has historically performed a variety of social and political roles and continues to do so today. Alongside history’s great leaders, from the legendary Sundiata Keita to present-day political and tribal leaders, the Griot has been praise singer, court bard, advisor and spy. In the society as a whole, he has been historian, messenger of court policy, mediator, and entertainer. A Griot may have a broad regional sphere of activity, or be rooted in a small community.

 

As an entertainer, the Griot performs during weddings and naming (baptism) ceremonies, and also appears at religious and national holidays, playing specific songs, rhythms, and dances relevant to each ceremony or event. Village or town meetings, as well as political functions are also often preceded by a display of Griots. As they dance, guests place money on the ground in front of the Griot as a way of thanking them.

 

The Kora (a 21-stringed harp), Balafon (xylophone), the Koni (gourd-guitar) and the Ngoni (a 4- or 5-stringed lute) are instruments traditionally played exclusively by the Griot.