Definition of griot
: any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies; broadly : storyteller
From the M-W Editors
Did You Know?
An African tribal storyteller and musician is called a griot. The griot’s role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of the tribe. They were usually among the oldest men in a tribe. In places where written language is the privilege 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.
Origin and Etymology of griot
French
Learn More about griot
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about griot
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