Many years ago, while studying American history in undergraduate school, the book Roots was published by Alex Haley. I was enthralled by the history of his family and Haley's ability to convey it. This Black family history was an incredible feat at the time. It was unheard of for African Americans to trace their roots back to Africa. Records were scattered and incomplete. But Haley's family was unusual in it's preservation of the family story, the Americn story begun with the African Kunta Kinte, via oral tradition. It would have been only a story. But Haley was able to confirm it through oral history presented by the tribal griot. By independt verification of the existence of Kunta Kinte, the Haley story became history.
I love to tell stories. And I love history. The moniker 'griot' appealed to me. So I adopted it as my CB handle - even though I never owned a CB!
With the advent of the computer age, I have morphed that handle into my e-mail signature, with a bit of trepidation. After all, it trespasses into a uniquely African tradition. Yet the spirit of the griot is not contained by racial restriction. So I respectfully take on the cloak.
I don't live in Western Africa. In fact, my roots are deep in the soil of Western Europe. But, as with the ancient tradition of the griot, I communicate most effectively by telling stories. I hope you enjoy mine.
