Parks Welcomes Back Special Guest Baba the Storyteller     

     Djeliba, Baba the Storyteller, returned to Parks as our very special guest speaker last week. Baba’s storytelling is filled with valuable lessons and accompanied by music on an instrument we’ve never seen before. Like a great book that you never want to end, Baba introduced Parks students to his cultures, which we could have listened to all day if we were able. This article is to explain more about Baba and his culture of storytelling. All the information on this article was from Baba’s website and YouTube channel (BABA THE STORYTELLER). If you would like to view Baba’s website, click here.

     Although Baba goes by the name of a storyteller, there is a specific title more appropriate for him, and that is a Griot. The term “Griot” is most widely used, but in the West African language called Bamana, they are also called Jali. 

     There are many ways the origin of the word Griot can go, but one way to interpret it is a person who uses the ancient West African tradition of using music and words to tell a story. This tradition is known as Jaliyaa, which is where the language Bamana comes from. 

     Griots used to serve royal families as advisors, tutors, diplomats, and musicians in the 13th Century West African Empire of Mali, which was the largest empire in West Africa.

     Also in the tradition of Jaliyaa, there is an instrument that takes part in the culture. You probably saw Baba playing this instrument at the assembly on Wednesday. The instrument is called the Kora, and it dates back thousands of years. 

     There are different instruments that are played by the Griot other than the Kora, such as the Balafon and Ngoni. The Balafon is the oldest instrument used by Griots and is made of wooden keys on top of a bamboo frame. The Ngoni is a lute and is considered a sacred and precious instrument. The Kora is a harp of 21 strings and is the most popular among Griots.

     Only a handful of people born outside of West Africa use the craft of Jaliyaa, and one of them includes Baba. But that does not make Baba have any less skill; Baba has been recognized with many awards and is currently visiting schools with virtual assemblies and working as a Master Teaching Artist with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.