Michael Crichton stated, “If you don’t know history, then you are a leaf that doesn’t know it’s a part of a tree.” But then again, learning the correct history has never been easy, especially for black people all over the world. Over the years, history has been altered, switched, and reduced. The African-American’s written history has never been one hundred percent accurate, and based off previous occurrences, it never will be. However, one thing that will always be sound, is the African griot’s word. The knowledge they store has been passed on from generation to generation, and each story that’s been told has freed the minds of many (D.T. Niane 120). The griot is an important part of African culture because of their knowledge of African history,
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Even after the ending of slavery, Blacks have been abused and mistreated, and it was all by taking away everything they know (The Honorable Elijah Muhammad 40-41). The mountains we climbed and the oceans sailed prior to slavery are no longer being pursued. However, thankfully to the griot, that knowledge is being taught once again. Insight such as the massive churches and mosque that were built, and the reigning queens and kings we were and still are, is all told. But, history is not all that’s spoken by the griot, the advance tradition and culture and morals of the African people are also told. When a quarrel occurs, the griot is the one who resolves it. When a question is composed, the griot knows the answer. So because the written word has been mixed and tampered with, the spoken word of the griot is completely …show more content…
In the form of folktales and fables, they are able to get a vast message, while keeping the audience intrigued. This is one of the griots greatest gifts because they save lives with just a story. Quarrels between tribes or simply two people, have been solved with the griots wise words. Envision a day where the griot wasn’t there to shed their humorous wisdom. Visualize a time where Anansi, or the Lion and the Mouse, or Br’er Rabbit was no longer being told, think of how much would be lost. All the important lessons in life would have to be learned the hard way. Thankfully, we won't have to imagine anything of the sort in the distant
Even after the ending of slavery, Blacks have been abused and mistreated, and it was all by taking away everything they know (The Honorable Elijah Muhammad 40-41). The mountains we climbed and the oceans sailed prior to slavery are no longer being pursued. However, thankfully to the griot, that knowledge is being taught once again. Insight such as the massive churches and mosque that were built, and the reigning queens and kings we were and still are, is all told. But, history is not all that’s spoken by the griot, the advance tradition and culture and morals of the African people are also told. When a quarrel occurs, the griot is the one who resolves it. When a question is composed, the griot knows the answer. So because the written word has been mixed and tampered with, the spoken word of the griot is completely …show more content…
In the form of folktales and fables, they are able to get a vast message, while keeping the audience intrigued. This is one of the griots greatest gifts because they save lives with just a story. Quarrels between tribes or simply two people, have been solved with the griots wise words. Envision a day where the griot wasn’t there to shed their humorous wisdom. Visualize a time where Anansi, or the Lion and the Mouse, or Br’er Rabbit was no longer being told, think of how much would be lost. All the important lessons in life would have to be learned the hard way. Thankfully, we won't have to imagine anything of the sort in the distant