The New Griot: How Modern Storytellers, Poets, and Musicians Are Keeping Oral Traditions Alive
It begins with a voice—sometimes soft and melodic, other times bold and commanding. A voice that doesn’t just entertain but remembers. In Dakar’s slam poetry cafes, on Lagos street corners filled with Afrobeats, and across digital platforms where spoken word travels faster than lightning, a new generation of griots is emerging. They may not carry kora or sit in village circles, but they carry the same charge: to keep history breathing through rhythm, language, and performance.
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The Griot: Custodian of Oral Heritage
Traditionally, griots have been the keepers of West Africa’s oral history, serving as storytellers, poets, musicians, and historians. Entrusted with preserving genealogies, historical narratives, and cultural knowledge, they have played a crucial role in maintaining the continuity of their societies.
Accompanying their tales with instruments like the kora—a 21-stringed harp-lute—the balafon, or the ngoni, griots have passed down centuries of wisdom and tradition through their performances. Here are three key cultural importance of custodians of oral heritage like griots:
1. Preservation of History and Identity
Griots serve as living repositories of history, preserving the genealogies, victories, struggles, and wisdom of their people. Through their stories, they ensure that cultural identities and collective memories are not lost but passed down to future generations, keeping the essence of communities alive.
2. Connection Between Generations
By orally transmitting knowledge, griots help bridge the gap between the past and present. Their performances not only keep ancient wisdom relevant but also foster a strong sense of continuity, ensuring younger generations understand and connect to their cultural roots and heritage.
3. Cultural Cohesion and Unity
Griots play a key role in fostering social unity. Through their storytelling, they reinforce communal values, societal norms, and traditions, creating a shared understanding that binds people together. Their artful narration fosters collective pride and cohesion, crucial for maintaining cultural resilience and solidarity.
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Contemporary Echoes: Modern-Day Griots
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the essence of the griot endures, adapting to new mediums and audiences. Modern storytellers, poets, and musicians are channeling the spirit of the griot, ensuring that oral traditions remain vibrant and relevant.
This resurgence is particularly evident in the rise of spoken word poetry and slam performances across Africa. In Francophone countries, for instance, young poets are packing venues, using their art to address pressing societal issues such as political instability, economic challenges, and social justice.
These performances not only entertain but also serve as platforms for dialogue and reflection, much like the griots of old. Here are three ways to develop the power of cultural storytelling:
1. Embrace Modern Media and Digital Platforms
Just as griots embraced new tools to share their stories, today’s storytellers can harness the power of digital platforms—such as podcasts, social media, and YouTube—to connect with broader audiences. Take, for example, Obehi Ewanfoh, founder of WeDiasporan.
Through platforms like The Obehi Podcast, Ewanfoh highlights the transformative power of storytelling to bridge global communities, sparking cross-cultural dialogue and reflection.
By tapping into these modern mediums, cultural narratives can cross borders, reaching diverse audiences and fostering deeper connections worldwide.
2. Integrate Personal and Collective Narratives
Modern storytelling, like Obehi’s Story to Asset framework, encourages people to weave their personal stories into the larger cultural fabric. This approach not only preserves individual histories but also connects personal experiences to collective identity, enriching the broader cultural narrative.
Empowering individuals to share their stories helps amplify the diverse voices of the diaspora, preserving their legacy for future generations.
3. Use Storytelling to Address Social Issues and Foster Change
As seen in the rise of spoken word poetry and slam performances, storytelling remains a powerful tool for addressing societal challenges. Modern griots can channel the same spirit of resistance and reflection, as Obehi Ewanfoh advocates, using their stories to address pressing social issues such as political instability, economic inequality, and social justice.
See also Capturing Change: Essential Tools for Aspiring Social Impact Documentarians
Storytelling becomes a vehicle for advocacy and change, empowering communities to reflect on their past and take action toward a better future.
Music as a Vessel for Oral Tradition
Musicians, too, are embracing their roles as modern griots. In Mali, artists like Cheick Hamala Diabaté have gained international recognition for their mastery of traditional instruments and dedication to preserving the griot’s art. Diabaté, a Grammy-nominated musician, continues to share the oral history, music, and songs of his culture, bridging the past with the present through his performances.
Similarly, in Morocco, folk singers known as “cheikhas” are keeping the oral tradition of aita alive. Performers like Mbarka Moullablad have dedicated their lives to this lyrical art form, which delves into themes of societal change and personal struggle. Despite facing societal challenges, these artists remain steadfast in their mission to preserve and evolve their cultural heritage.
Literature: Writing Back to the Empire
The written word has also become a powerful medium for modern griots. Authors such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Ben Okri have used literature to reclaim narratives and challenge historical distortions imposed by colonialism.
Their works serve as a form of “writing back,” correcting false portrayals and celebrating the richness of African cultures. This literary movement not only preserves oral traditions but also reimagines them, offering new myths and worldviews that reflect contemporary experiences. What about The Digital Griot: Technology and Oral Traditions?
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In the digital age, the role of the griot has expanded into online platforms. Social media, podcasts, and video-sharing sites have become new stages for storytellers and musicians to reach global audiences.
This digital evolution allows for the preservation and dissemination of oral traditions in innovative ways, ensuring that the griot’s voice continues to resonate across time and space.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of the Griot
The spirit of the griot remains a vital force in contemporary culture. Through spoken word, music, literature, and digital media, modern storytellers, poets, and musicians are not only preserving oral traditions but also adapting them to address current realities.
They serve as bridges between generations, custodians of history, and catalysts for social change. In their voices, the echoes of the past find harmony with the present, ensuring that the rich tapestry of oral heritage continues to thrive.
Be the change—volunteer your time and expertise with the WeDiasporan mission.
