Joanne R. Pompano
Oral stories utilize the following:
1. repetition of phrases to emphasize points or themes
2. interaction with the audience
3. strong rhythm and meter
4. music, costume, and props
5. idiomatic expressions
6. strong imagery
7. techniques such as onomatopoeia (creating sounds that imitate sounds found in nature)
Oral tradition gives a great deal of emphasis to the rhythm and repetition of the language. In fact, repetition and rhythm are two of the most important, interrelated characteristics of oral storytelling. Storytellers often repeat words, phrases, refrains, sounds, whole lines and even stanzas. The storyteller pays close attention to the beat and how the words sound. This use of repetition is a tool used to make points and draws attention to situations and events and to emphasize the segments of the story that are important.
In addition, repetition creates a rhythm and meter to the text that grows and becomes stronger with use. At the same time, the use of repetition assists the audience in remembering the chorus and allows them to join in with the storyteller. Also, the use of short phrases makes the stories easier to understand and easier to recall from memory. In turn, familiarity with the stories and audience involvement helps individuals feel they belong to the community.
Oral Traditions of Africa
There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling. The transmission of tradition in West Africa relied principally on oral tradition and performance rather than on written texts. However, writing was not absent in Africa culture
.
Written history had been around in Arabic for centuries. In the twelfth century, Islam began to spread in West Africa. At the same time Arabic language was used to record religious writings. Later Arabic was also used to translate secular information including oral traditions including written texts.
However, the majority of people did not read or write Arabic.
During the colonial era in the late 1800's African history was written in European languages when colonists brought the French, English and Dutch languages to Africa. However, this recorded history was also from a European point of view and the majority of people did not read or write these languages. These written texts did not replace the role and respect of the powerful storytellers of the region. Societies in the Sahel and Savanna regions of West Africa continued to record their history, in their own languages in the form of oral epics and the oral tradition continued to be the primary source of information for people in West Africa.
Storytellers of Africa
African culture has many traditional ceremonies, ritual dramas, riddles, proverbs, customs, taboos, and games important to their community. Oral tradition is the major technique to preserve these traditions and to ensure and strengthen cultural identity. Storytellers were the individuals assigned with the important task of guaranteeing that this information was presented faithfully to the community.
Griots (pronounced "greeoh") are storytellers and oral historians who are descendents of an ancient occupational caste. In some tribes, griots are part of a separate social group that cannot marry outside their caste. Originally they were court musicians that sang at naming ceremonies, weddings, and religious gatherings. They evolved into advisors to nobility and messengers to the community. Griots sing songs of praise for their leaders and recount the great deeds of ancestors and the history of the society. Griots are rewarded for their serve to individuals and the community. Their fee varies and ranges from a few coins or a blanket to more substantial payments depending on the audience and the skill and popularity of the storyteller.
In West Africa griots have been practicing their craft for hundreds of years. Griots are
described as "the all-seeing, all-knowing eyes of society." There is a spiritual and ethical dimension to their performances and it is believed that special forces are released through the spoken or musical part of their performance. For instance, the Mande people of West Africa believe they call on the power and primal energies of creation and destruction.
Griots are masters not only of words but also of music. They are often talented and well-trained singers and musicians that accompany themselves using a variety of instruments. The kora, a 21-stringed instrument with two rows of strings on a long neck and body that sounds similar to a flamenco guitar, is one such instrument.
Female Storytellers - Griottes
Female storytellers are known as griottes
.
Griottes traditionally sing at ceremonies, celebrations, and special occasions. When a woman is to be married, griottes sing to her to prepare her for her new life. West African women sing about a women's role in the society and their relationships with husbands and in-laws.
Griottes also use songs to express their independence and self-reliance or to give comfort, encouragement, and empowerment to other women. The
saabi
is a long poetic narrative form sung by West African women
to reveal the nature of relationships between men and women.
Training of Storytellers
Griots are accomplished storytellers and troubadours who must master verbal, musical and memory skills after undergoing an extensive training process that includes years of specialized training. Griots are the keepers of the secrets and history of entire villages over hundreds of years. It is their job to learn each detail of genealogies and histories and pass these facts on to younger generations. Griots must have good memories because they must be able to recite or sing long passages that convey the entire history of families including births, deaths, and weddings.
Training of griots begins at an early age. Their parents, who are griots, are their first teachers. Older children move on to griot schools and later must complete an apprenticeship with a master griot. West Africa is a patriarchal society but both boys and girls can become griots. However, obligations to the family are more pressing for girls so they are not often able to travel and study as easily as boys.
Their Role In Modern Times
Griots continue to play an important role in modern West African societies. However, the griots position in African society has changed in modern times as society evolved. These performers are still in great demand to conduct ceremonies and parties in West Africa, and around the world. But, today they also are popular singers who reinterpret traditional songs and perform on television and radio and record CDs. Griots are often the narrators in African film and explain or comment on the action or set the stage for the tale being told.
Despite the changes in their duties, they continue to be respected members of the West African culture and provide a strong link to the past. They continue to be the historians, genealogists, advisers to nobility, entertainers, messengers, and praise singers in communities. And they continue to be both feared and respected for their wisdom and talent with words as they can sing praises but can also sing the doom of an individual.
