AFRICA MALI

Musicologists and music-lovers alike revere Mali as “the birthplace of the blues,” drawing musical (and thematic) parallels between the narrative, plaintive compositions of ancient Malian singers and the sad but strong song-stories from the Mississippi Delta. Mali’s traditional music draws on the tales of ancient griots, who effectively kept the country’s historical record by singing songs of praise about its nobility. Today Mali’s society and music are both evolving, drawing more and more international influences as the nation maintains its ancient character.  

Griots also known as “Djeli,” are West African praise singers/historians/poets who sing epic songs extolling the virtues of kings and other luminaries.

The best griots don’t just tell tales but instead weave multi­layered epics that inspire deep emotion and teach lessons and about the modern world.