Griots at War
Subtitle: Conflict, Conciliation, and Caste in Mande
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: June 2001
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 298
ISBN-13: 9780253338051
Subjects: African studies; Customs & folklore; Social groups & communities; c 1980 to c 1990; Folklore; History; History - General History; History: World; Mali; Africa - General; Anthropology - General; Anthropology - Cultural; Folklore & Mythology; Griots; Kita; Mandingo (African people); Social life and customs
First sentence: My ton-sisters and I joined thousands of griots (jeliw) in the town of Kita, in western Mali, for a three-day period of discourse, song, music, and dance in honor of the installation of the new Jelikuntigi and the opening of a newly constructed Jelibolon.
Description: "In 1985, while she was an apprentice griot or jelimuso, Barbara G. Hoffman saw and recorded a remarkable event that took place in the small town of Kita, Mali. For four days, thousands of griots from all parts of the Mande world gathered to talk, sing, and make music in celebration of the opening of the new Hall of Griots and the installation of the recently named Head Griot. This unprecedented assembly also marked the end of a deadly two-year conflict fought with griot weapons - words, reputations, and sorcery. Hoffman captures griots making speeches, singing songs of praise, and dancing in honor of their restored unity. Her discerning interpretations of the speeches not only explore the art of griot oratory, but show how the use of history, metaphor, religion, proverbs, and praise can mend a community torn apart by war."--BOOK JACKET.