Griot
From Academic Kids
Griots, pronounced "greeohs", are wordsmiths of West Africa who use poetry, proverbs, and rhythm to teach villagers about their history. Their home is the territory of the Mande peoples, i.e. the states of Mali, Gambia, Guinea and Senegal, where their tradition is alive to this day. "Griot" is the French term for this class of musicians; the local terms are jeli in northern Mande areas and jali in southern Mande domains.
