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Griots and Griottes is the first comprehensive portrait of the world of this profession, starting with their discovery by the outside world in 1352 by a North African traveler, Ibn Battuta, up to the time of Alex Haley and the present. Griots in their multiple roles and functions are unique to Africa. They play many roles in society—geneologist, historian, spokesperson, diplomat, musician, teacher, warrior, praise singer, master of ceremonies, and advisor. Griots and Griottes, based on over thirty years of research and travel in Africa, tells the story of these remarkable wordsmiths and performers.

Acknowledgments ...xiii
A Note on orthography and Measurement of Distance ...xv
Introduction: Ibn Battuta, Alex Haley, and the Difussion of Knowledge about Griots ...1
1. A Job Description for Griots ...18
2. The Origin of Griots ...59
3. The Verbal Art of Griots ...114
4. Music Across the Griot World ...146
5. The Making of a Griot ...172
6. Would You Want Your Daughter to Marry One? ...193
7. Griottes: Unrecognized Female Voices ...217
8. From the Courtyards of the Nobility to a Global Audience ...244
9. The Value of Words ...288
10. New Millenium Griots ...311
Appendices ...339
Selected Bibliography ...367
Index ...393