Le rôle des griots dans les anciens empires africains (document en anglais)

In the continent of Africa there are over 700 different languages representing distinct peoples and cultural groups. One cultural figure that is, however, common across West Africa is the griot for he carries the cultural knowledge and identity of each people. The griot legacy stretches back for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years. The griot is a chronicler of history keeping track of the history and developments of his people over time. The griot is also guardian of the knowledge of his people’s ancestry, or genealogy. This history may never be written down so the griot is crucial to keeping the records of the past. The function of a griot is a complex mixture of storytelling, historical preservation, and performance. The traditional role of the griot was historically and continues to be controversial. He belonged to the lowest cast, yet, by virtue of his societal function, he was privy to much historical and political information. In fact, one of his assigned tasks was to preserve the history of the empire through story and song. Unique to Western Africa, the griot, or jeli, profession encompasses many roles. Griots have been referred to as historians and storytellers, but there is no real word in the English language that includes all of their functions. A traditional griot could do everything from recounting history to composing music, to teaching students, to acting as diplomats. They are genealogists, historians, spokespeople, ambassadors, musicians, teachers, warriors, interpreters, praise-singers, masters of ceremonies, advisors, and more. Not every griot does all of these things, but these are all examples of functions the griot profession embodies. Today, performing is one of the most common functions of a griot. Their audience range has widened, and many griots now travel all over the world singing and playing the kora or other instruments. Though the world has changed, griot tradition is still alive and flourishing. During the following lines we’ll try to explain the transition of griots from the old empires period to today.

I:GRIOTS ROLE IN OLD AFRICAN EMPIRES

A/ THE GRIOTS IN MANDE SOCIETY

For those who do not know, Griots, also “known as a jeli in Maninka and Bamana, and a jali in Mandinka and Xasonka” are more than just singers. The people from West Africa are known as Mandé or Manding and their ancestry traces back to the Empire of Mali of 1235-1400. This ancient empire covered the geographical area that now includes the modern nations of Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and south-eastern Niger. The musicians from this area are hereditary and are known by many names including, jelly, jely

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