Asked by dave

What was the primary role of griots in West African societies such as the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai?


They were military leaders who led armies in battles against the Ottoman Empire.


They were merchants who controlled trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean.


They were religious leaders who introduced Islam to the region.


They were storytellers and historians who preserved the oral traditions and history of their people.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
They were storytellers and historians who preserved the oral traditions and history of their people.

Griots served as praise-singers, genealogists, oral historians, musicians, and advisors—keeping and passing down history, laws, and cultural memory in West African societies like Mali and Songhai.