During the time when empires ruled West Africa, griots told stories and sang songs for traders, villagers, and kings alike. These special stories and songs described the history beliefs, and traditions of African families and the land. They became the oral history, or spoken record of events of Africa.
Because many of the people could not, read a written language, they depended upon the spoken words of the griots. African kings depended on griots to help keep people informed about happenings in the empire. In time the singing and speaking skills of griots became an important West African legacy.
The legacy continues today. Modern griots tell African history and traditions to people around the world. Some have become teachers and historians. Others perform before audiences in order to entertain as well as educate. |
