Description
Griots, a uniquely African profession, fulfill a variety of roles as genealogists, historians, spokespersons, diplomats, musicians, teachers, praise singers, and advisors. Telling the story of these remarkable wordsmiths and performers, Thomas A. Hale addresses the nature of their verbal and musical art, the role of female griots, or griottes, how griots and griottes fit into their societies, and what their future might be in Africa and the rest of the world.
Author: Thomas A. Hale
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 07/31/2007
Pages: 432
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.90d
ISBN13: 9780253219619
ISBN10: 0253219612
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Anthropology | Cultural & Social
- Social Science | Folklore & Mythology
About the Author
Thomas A. Hale is Liberal Arts Professor of African, French, and Comparative Literature at The Pennsylvania State University. He is editor of The Epic of Askia Mohammed (IUP, 1996) and co-editor (with John William Johnson and Stephen Belcher) of Oral Epics from Africa (IUP, 1997).