The Ballad of the Griot: Guardians of Language and Family Trees in West Africa

Featuring Hawa Kassé Diabaté, Mamadou Kouyaté and Fodé Lassana Diabaté, Trio da Kali, a Malian griot group.

Above the loud thumping of the drums, jubilous singing from the onlookers, and rhythmic clapping, the Griot’s voice swells above the chaos, singing a song of ancestry, perseverance, and most importantly, love.

In the heart of West Africa, there exists a lineage of storytellers like no other. Known as "Griots" in West Africa, they are revered as the guardians of language, culture, and the very essence of existence. In Senegal and Mauritania, they wear the moniker "Gawlo," but their responsibilities transcend names; they are the harmonious souls who sing the tales of family trees.

In the early 13th century, Griots were rumored to have originated from the Mande empire of Mali. The Griots of this time catered to the ruling caste of the time. They provided entertainment, intricate story-telling, and at some times, served as mediators in disputes. Historically, a Griot would be born into a particular caste that pass down the knowledge of entertainment. The generational knowledge made the role of the Griot's abilities to be of eclusive cultural inherticance. In modern society, however- given the erasure of the monarchy system-the Griots and their capabilities are more widespread and accessible.

The Griot's role is unique. The role of the Gawlo is typically passed down from generation to generation. Griots provide music, dance, and storytelling. It is quite common to see Griots performing solo, however, it is not uncommon to see Griots band groups. Griots are responsible for keeping track of births, deaths, marriages, and other significant events that concern their community. The communities recognize that these events are what band individuals together, and it is up to the Griot to persevere these events.

One of the most notable capabilities of Griots includes the ability to recite genealogies. Griots are often trained from adolescence to memorize entire family trees, going back hundreds of years. Commonly, Griots will make appearances at big community events, such as naming ceremonies and baby showers. From there, the Griot will make an appearance, and energize the event with music and dancing. Depending on who is the star of the event [for instance, at a name ceremony event, the mother is the star], the Griot will single out the recipient of praise and sing a ballad for the recipient, praising him or her.

To accompany the ballad of their story-telling, a plethora of musical instruments are used as well. The Balafon, an instrument similar to a xylophone, the Kora, an instrument similar to a harp and the Ngoni, an instrument similar to a banjo are all instruments the Griots have used in their performances.

Pictured is a “Kora”.

Such laborious story-telling and recalling does not come without a hefty reward, of course. Griots are instantly rewarded with money during their performances. Typically, the recipient of their praise will throw money at the Griot, to reward their knowledge. Griots can make anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on how large the event is.

Over the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries, the Griot has served as a historian, storyteller, musician, and in some cases, a celebrity. Notable figures include Baaba Maal, Yousou N'Dour, Ahmedou Ould Meiddah, Papa Susso among many more.

But it is not just stories they sing; it is the souls of their people. With a voice that carries the weight of centuries, they breathe life into the tales of warriors, leaders, and religious figures. With every song, they etch the names of ancestors into the memory of all who listen, ensuring that no one is ever truly forgotten. The Gawlo are the threads that connect generations. They celebrate the joys of life, the struggles faced, and the lessons learned. Through the tales of family trees, they instill wisdom and impart the knowledge of yesteryears. They teach the young, remind the old, and bridge the gap between generations.

In a world where words can be as fleeting as the wind, they preserve the unique dialects, idioms, and expressions that give voice to their culture. They are the living dictionaries, ensuring that the linguistic treasures of their people remain intact.