What’s a Griot ?

The term Griot originates from West Africa, where Griots were regarded as revered storytellers, historians, poets, and musicians. They were the keepers of oral tradition, entrusted with the responsibility of preserving the genealogies, history, and cultural narratives of their people. For centuries, they served as the living archives of their societies, ensuring that the wisdom of the past was passed down to future generations through recitations, songs, and performances. In African societies, Griots were often attached to royal courts, advising kings and leaders while educating the public through their recounting of historical events.

The role of the Griot takes on added significance in the context of African American history. Following the transatlantic slave trade and the displacement of millions of Africans, oral traditions became a crucial means of preserving cultural identity in the face of oppressive systems that sought to erase their history. Storytelling, spirituals, folktales, and other forms of oral culture were ways in which African Americans could resist, remember, and pass on their heritage despite their forced separation from African soil. The Griot's function—to sustain memory, inspire resilience, and educate—remained critical in the African American experience, evolving into a cultural practice that continued through black churches, schools, civil rights movements, and artistic expressions.