Introduction

Participants will learn about the role of the griot, or storyteller, and the griot’s place in teaching and preserving history through oral tradition. They will become engrossed in the classic histrionic style of the griot, who will recount both traditional and modern tales. Wearing masks which they will make, the participants will have fun acting out a story. In the latter part of this 2 hour program, the group will discuss the meaning of a moralistic story, and how they can continue the griot tradition by going home and retelling a story they heard.

Background

The role of the griots, or storytellers, is to preserve the history of the community by passing on its traditions with oral accounts. These accounts can be in the form of a song, poem, or riddle. Even dance may be part of the presentation. The responsibility of the griot to collect, record, and share information with his fellow villagers was important to many early African communities and is still valued today as a means to preserve the history and customs of the people.

In some African tribes, for example, griots not only share oral accounts of historical events, but they initiate the celebration of yearly activities such as the planting and harvesting seasons as well. They will sometimes present their stories in the form of a theatrical drama and have the villagers dress up to represent certain characters. The villagers wearing the masks will not have any speaking parts; they will merely act out the motions and emotions of the story. The griot always narrates these productions and is the only one allowed to speak. The job of the griot is well respected and is passed down each generation from the griot to his oldest son.

In some other African tribes, the griot was not the only one to speak. Another form of traditional storytelling included audience call and response participation.

Objectives:

To teach participants about the tradition of the griot.
To understand the function of oral tradition in preserving culture and history.
To relate oral storytelling to the family lives of the participants.
To introduce the participants to new books and publications relative to the African American culture.

Methodology:

The participants will be introduced to the function and methods of the griot, and explain the griot in historical context, through the character of Sister Girl. The experience will be partly theatrical and partly call and response. It may also include props and costumes.

Click here to learn more about Sister Girl.

The griot will tell stories, and at her discretion will enlist the aid of participants, who may don masks for certain stories, and act out the story as it’s told.
Their will be a discussion following the story. It will include an explanation about the purpose of the story, and a discussion of any moral or lessons in it. Participants will be asked how it may relate to their lives. Participants will be encouraged to continue the griot tradition at home by retelling a story they heard.