The True Story of West Africa’s Griots | Guardians of Memory

Discover the powerful, true story of the West African griots—the ancient storytellers, musicians, and historians who kept the history of empires alive without books. From the 13th-century court of Sundiata Keita to the kora music of Toumani Diabaté, this video honors the griots and griottes who carried Africa's memory through song and spoken word.

🎵 Featuring real historical figures like:
Balla Fasséké Kouyaté (Griot of Sundiata Keita)
Sidiki & Toumani Diabaté (Malian kora masters)
Amy Koita (legendary Malian griotte)
Sona Jobarteh (Gambian female kora virtuoso)
📚 These are not fictional tales. These are the true voices of Africa's oral tradition, kept alive across generations.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more powerful African history stories told in simple, engaging ways!

⏳ Timestamps
00:12 – What is a Griot?
00:46 – The First Griot of the Mali Empire
01:55 – The Role of Griots in Royal Courts
02:44 – The Diabaté Family: 70 Generations of Memory
03:40 – Griots Across Borders: Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea
04:30 – Sona Jobarteh: Breaking Barriers as a Female Griot
04:48 – Amy Koita: The Voice of Mali
05:13 – Colonialism and the Decline of Griots
05:34 – Revival and the Griots of Today
05:54 – Final Message: The Griot Lives On

#africanhistory #griots #oraltradition #maliempire #sondajobarteh #toumanidiabate #epicofsundiata #mandinka #africanstorytelling #blackhistory #africaculture