African Social Structure Chapter 18 What is a

African Social Structure Chapter 18…

What is a Griot ? Musician (Troubadour) Storyteller Genealogist Tribal “Historian”

Images of the Traditional African Griot

Images of the Traditional African Griot

Images of the Traditional African Griot

Images of the Traditional African Griot

The Modern African Griot

Structural Pieces

Age-Grade Systems • Instead of the clan/family being responsible for behavior regulation… i. e. your parents spanking/punishing you… members of your peer group were responsible for upholding the rules of the society… • Like a peer teacher of Mr. Barikmo evaluating him based on observations, not an administrator

Young Initiates into Adulthood Warriors (often live apart from society) Elders as heads of family and political leaders Elders who are ritual specialists and advisors (griots)

Women… • Why they were valued…by men! – They could clear and cultivate land – Brought prestige/status by being married – Security in old age – Could produce children to carry on the work of the family

Women… • How men got them… – A man’s family compensated the bride’s for the loss of her reproductive abilities; children; food from her labor • Men waited until their 30 s (because it was expensive to buy a bride) – Women married at the onset of puberty • Infertility is worse than infidelity!

Trade… the products of Africa • Salt…something we take for granted… but is an important export from Africa even still today • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Bi 9 b. Jh. RZt KA Salt is traded for gold…grain…slaves… and addictive Kola nuts…

For Tomorrow… • The music of Africa comes Home…