griot
griot
African tribal storyteller. The griot's role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of the tribe. Griots were usually among the oldest men. In places where written language is the prerogative of the few, the place of the griot as cultural guardian is still maintained. In Senegal, for example, the griot—without resorting to fantasy—recites poems or tells stories of warriors, drawing on his own sources of inspiration.
This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on griot, visit Britannica.com.
Learn More About
Seen & Heard 
What made you look up griot? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.
