griot

[ gree-oh, gree-oh, gree-ot ]

noun

1. a member of a hereditary caste among the peoples of western Africa whose function is to keep an oral history of the tribe or village and to entertain with stories, poems, songs, dances, etc.

griot

/ ˈɡriːəʊ; ɡriːˈɒt /

noun

1. (in Western Africa) a member of a caste responsible for maintaining an oral record of tribal history in the form of music, poetry, and storytelling

Word History and Origins

Origin of griot¹

1955–60; < French, earlier guiriot, perhaps ultimately < Portuguese criado domestic servant, altered in W African coastal creoles

Word History and Origins

Origin of griot¹

C20: from French guirot , perhaps from Portuguese criado domestic servant