I love the fall. It is the time of year when leaves turn from pleasant greens to vibrant reds; when wearing multiple layers of clothing is weather appropriate; and, when bonfires, smore’s and storytelling are the main event on a Friday night. Most of us probably already know which story is coming when our best friend says, “do you remember that time when…” and we can reliably predict the story our sibling will share about “that one summer when I was turning 15…”
But there is something uniquely comforting in that shared knowledge and common understanding. Admittedly, some of us are better than others at telling stories. Not everyone has the same knack for providing richly layered content in a way that keeps an audience in rapt attention. Some people are just born storytellers.
This week the Global Guru learns about those exceptional few that were born to tell stories. Griots are West African oral historians, who train their entire lives on how to best narrate stories to provide meaning and continuity to their listeners’ collective memories. Their accounts can contain a blend of music, poetry, song, and vocal intonation.
While there are a number of well-known griots, Papa Susso – an oral historian and kora (African harp-lute) player from Gambia – is featured in this week’s program. Papa Susso hails from a long line of Griots of the Mandinka people. Listen to this week’s program as he performs classic songs of the griot repertoire.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at globalguru@american.edu
– Devon M. Malene
Global Guru Radio 