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		Griot: Oral storytelling tradition (length: 2 min) In Mopti, Gates and Oumar see a griot in concert. Traditionally, griots are the keepers of oral traditions, passing on histories from generation to generation. Today, many griots sing the prasises on anyone who pays them! Read Transcript This site includes RealVideo. Download RealPlayer now.

Video Transcript

GATES CAN BE SEEN IN CROWD WATCHING GRIOT.

GATES: Griots are poets who sing the praises of their wealthy patrons. It's a tradition that goes back to the earliest kingdoms, before the written word. These epics passed down from generation to generation, are the main source of Mali's early history. These days, Griots praise anyone who shows them the money! First she sings about Oumar, and then she starts singing about me.

OUMAR AND GATES HAND HER MONEY.

GATES: I hope I paid her enough to be remembered for the next 500 years!

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