who are the griots and what did they do
Griot
A griot ( / ˈɡri. oʊ / ; French pronunciation : ​ ( ɡʁi. o ) ) , jali or jeli ( djeli or djéli in French spelling ) is a West African historian , storyteller , praise singer , poet and / or musician . The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages . As a result of the former of these two functions , he or she is sometimes also called a bard . 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 use their vocal expertise for gossip , satire , or political comment . 
A griot ( / ˈɡri. oʊ / ; French pronunciation : ​ ( ɡʁi. o ) ) , jali or jeli ( djeli or djéli in French spelling ) is a West African historian , storyteller , praise singer , poet and / or musician . The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages . As a result of the former of these two functions , he or she is sometimes also called a bard . 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 use their vocal expertise for gossip , satire , or political comment .
A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages. He or she is sometimes also called a bard.  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. Although they are popularly known as "praise singers", griots may use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.
A griot ( / ˈɡri. o ) ) , jali or jeli ( djeli or djéli in French spelling ) is a West African historian , storyteller , praise singer , poet and / or musician . The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages . As a result of the former of these two functions , he or she is sometimes also called a bard . 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 . Although they are popularly known as `` praise singers '' , griots may use their vocal expertise for gossip , satire , or political comment .