Griot - Jeli

I'd mentioned that there would be more about the term Griot. Rather than putting it in my own words before I visit the country, I'd rather quote from Eric Cherry, in his book, Mande Music. "The Maninka term Jeli (in Mandinka they are called Jalis) refers to a type of musical and verbal artist. Jelis are somewhat like the bards of old Europe. They are story teller, historians and musicians and yet more than this. Not just anybody can be Jeli. They are highly trained individuals and the skills are handed down through generations of specific families. Jelis have the exlusive right to play the kora, the bala (balafon) and the Koni. In certain areas Jelis also play the Jeli dundun and the tama. It is their role to sing and recount Mande social & politcal life.
They are praise singers and often encourage people to act. It is said that they can mould actions out or music in much the same way a blacksmith can mould useful things out of metal.
There are 3 fields of speciality for Jelis
* Speech (kuma) - This usually consists of history, stories, geneologies and proverbs.
* Song (Donkili) - Melodies and lyrics.
* Instrument playing (Maninka: foli, Mandinka: kosiri).
Each skill has completely different training and the end result is high specialisation whichever is chosen. Most males are skilled in 2 of these areas. Females are generally singers. Certain family names are Jeli, such as Cissokho, Koyate, Conte and Diabate." Others in The Gambia are Jobarteh, Susso, Suso, Saho, Kanuteh, Konte, & Konteh.