Definitions for GRIOT
griˈoʊ, ˈgri oʊ, ˈgri ɒtgri·ot

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. griotnoun

   a storyteller in West Africa; perpetuates the oral traditions of a family or village

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. griotnoun

   West African storyteller who passes on oral traditions, a wandering musician and poet.

2. Etymology: From griot.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Griot

   A griot (; French: [ɡʁi.o]; Manding: jali or jeli (in N'Ko: ߖߋߟߌ, djeli or djéli in French spelling); Serer: kevel or kewel / okawul; Wolof: gewel) 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 leader due to their position as an advisor to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, they are sometimes called bards. They also act as mediators in disputes.

WikidataRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Griot

   A griot, jali or jeli is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition, and is also often seen as something of a societal leader due to his traditional position as an adviser to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, he 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 also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment. Griots today live in many parts of West Africa, and are present among the Mande peoples, Fulɓe, Hausa, Songhai, Tukulóor, Wolof, Serer, Mossi, Dagomba, Mauritanian Arabs and many other smaller groups. The word may derive from the French transliteration "guiriot" of the Portuguese word "criado", or masculine singular term for "servant". These story-tellers are more predominant in the northern portions of West Africa.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. griot

   Song lyrics by griot -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by griot on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Narrator

How to pronounce GRIOT?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say GRIOT in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of GRIOT in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of GRIOT in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of GRIOT in a Sentence

1. Angela Kinamore:

   “A MASTER GRIOT: Aberjhani is truly a most gifted wordsmith and master griot. I MADE MY BOY OUT OF POETRY is a marvelous collection of stories and poetry sure to lift your spirits and touch those special places within your soul... a must read.”

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=GRIOT
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Griot
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griot
4. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=GRIOT