Griots were West African storytellers who preserved history and culture through oral traditions like folktales and proverbs. Music was also important in West African culture as it communicated ideas during celebrations, ceremonies, and events and was used to alleviate stress through call-and-response techniques. Masks honored ancestors and were part of celebrations, while textiles like Kente cloth told personal and community histories through their designs.

1. Chapter 15

2. 15.2 ~ West African Oral and
Written traditions

3. 1. What were griots?
Griots were West African storytellers.They were
thought as historians, entertainers, as well as
storytellers.Also known as a verbal artist.

4. Folktales were told in West Africa because it was a
way to entertain one’s audience, but yet teach the
young people lessons as well as preserve West
Africa’s history.

5. West Africans used proverbs to give advice or to
express ideas.These proverbs promoted deep
thought and intellect.

6. 15.3 ~ West African Music

7. 1. Why was music important in West Africa?
Music was important in West Africa because it
communicated ideas, values and feelings. It was used
in various celebrations: historic events, weddings,
funerals, and ceremonies that honored their
ancestors.

8. Call and response was a method to alleviate stress
and to lessen the pain of hard physical labor. It
basically got people’s minds off the task that they
were doing and allow them to think of other things.

9. 15.4 ~ West African Visual
Arts

10. 1. Why were masks an essential part of West African culture?
West African Masks were used to honor their dead
ancestors and to celebrate everyday events.

11. The Kente cloth is the most famous textile in West
Africa.This cloth is used to tell the history of the
person who made the cloth/design and to also
express values, politics and other events that are
happening around West Africa.