7.25 West African Griots & Culture

What method did West African people use to convey history?

• Writing and printing

• Oral tradition

• Art and music

• Symbols and patterns

What role did griots play in West African communities?

• Maintaining oral histories

• Creating written records

• Leading political movements

• Teaching foreign languages

Who were traditionally allowed to become griots?

• Anyone with storytelling skills

• Females from griot families

• Males from griot families

• Foreign diplomats

What is the purpose of West African art?

• To be admired

• To convey history

• To serve religious purposes

• To entertain children

What is kente cloth?

• A type of sculpture

• A musical instrument

• A form of dance

• A handwoven fabric

What materials were used for West African sculpture?

• Wood and ivory

• Brass and clay

• Stone and cloth

• Paint and tapestry

What were music and dance used for in West African culture?

• To mark important occasions

• To create written records

• To entertain foreign diplomats

• To teach foreign languages

What instruments were used to create music in West Africa?

• Drums, whistles, and horns

• Guitars and pianos

• Violins and flutes

• Trumpets and saxophones

What is the Dausi?

• A type of sculpture

• A musical instrument

• An epic poem

• A form of dance

What is the Epic of Sundiata about?

• The history of Ghana

• The rise of the Mali empire

• The art of West Africa

• The role of griots