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The livelihoods of traditional griots in modern Senegal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 December 2011

Cornelia Panzacchi
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Extract

The article represents an overview of the activities of members of the géwél caste, or Wolof griots, in present-day Senegal. While seemingly little has changed in areas where traditional ways of life are still dominant, in the westernised urban culture many traditional artists have learned to cope with the use of mass media. Far from being threatened by extinction, traditional artists and historians have managed to adapt their art to the requirements of modern life and to make it accessible to a wider audience.

Résumé

Cet article représente une vue d'ensemble sur les activités des membres de la caste géwél, ou des griots wolof au Sénégal actuel. Tandis que peu semble n'avoir changé dans les endroits ou les facons de vivre traditionnelles sont toujours dominantes, dans la culture urbaine occidentalisée beaucoup d'artistes traditionnels se sont débrouillés à apprendre a se servir du média. De loin d'être menacé d'extinction, les artistes traditionnels et les historiens ont réussi à adapter leur art aux exigences de la vie moderne et à les rendre accessibles a un plus grand public.

Type
Speech and songs in today's Senegal
Information
Africa , Volume 64 , Issue 2 , April 1994 , pp. 190 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1994

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