请问griot是什么意思?

来源:百度知道 编辑:UC知道 时间:2024/05/09 19:10:39
我学的是African American literature poetry! Professor 提出的这个单词,不过他是个老外,解释没听明白。请高人为我详细解释一下!谢谢!

A griot (pronounced /gɹi.ɒ/ in English or [ɡʁi.o] in French, with a silent t) or jeli (djeli or djéli in French spelling) is a West African poet, praise singer, and wandering musician, considered a repository of oral tradition. As such they are sometimes also called bards. According to Paul Oliver in his book "Savannah Syncopators", "Though [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable." Although they are popularly known as 'praise singers', griots may also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.

Griots today live in many parts of West Africa, including Mali, the Gambia, Guinea, Western Sahara and Senegal, and are present among the Mande peoples (Mandinka, Malinké, Bambara, etc.), Fulɓe (Fula), Hausa, Tukuló