Indeed Njok. However, I think the cameraman did a bad job too because guess what - the entire audience, everyone in the room - was on their feet dancing from the moment the three women came to the fore to the very last song. Of course, they had no way of judging the griot's level of performance like you and me. Also, I do not think that the griot thought of the larger context of Black History month. Perhaps his hosts should have had a quiet word with him before, explained to him the significance of the event - why he was invited - in some detail. I think he saw his role merely as an entertainer, and so he entertained! 
 



Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 03:11:05 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University
To: [log in to unmask]





Baba,
 
Maybe then it was a bad day in the office.  I think his performance was not all that, so him continuously encouraging the audience to jump when there wasn't anything to jump to was very funny to me.  I guess thats why no one hardly jumped, though a lot of white folks easily jump to any noise/music.
I think he also was on some African enslaving one another story which somewhat supports the position of the writers who are critical of African history or lack of for that matter, which you did well to refute in ur opening.
 
Importantly, as this was a Black History event, he should have selected songs that traces the heroics of our forefathers and their achievements, most of his theme songs was love love and dance lol.
 
Anyway, my little observation...
r
NM
 


Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 18:45:22 -0800
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University




Njok,
 
The kora man was invited by the Black Studies Program, of which I am not a faculty member. I first heard of him from a professor in that program.  I am a member of the History department, specializing in African history. I think it was pure coincidence that we both come from The Gambia. I think he is based in New York but is very widely knowwn among academic insititutions around the U.S. where he routinely performs. Overall though, his performance was very well received. Thanks for the kind compliments on the presentation.
 
By the way, just curious: what do you think one needs to talk to him about? His accounts, music, jokes?
 
Baba
 




Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 00:56:09 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University
To: [log in to unmask]




Baba, where u got ur Kora man from :-), have a quiet word with him next time before u let him loose lol.  Anyway thumps up for the presentation......
r
 




Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 15:38:06 -0800
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University
To: [log in to unmask]





Hello Friends,
 
I thought I should share this Youtube video on a Gambian griot performance at Creighton University. Alhaji Pappa Suso, accompanied by balafon player Bala Kuyateh, was invited to the Creighton campus by the Uniersity's Black Studies Program as part of activities marking Black History Month. I was asked to give the introductory remarks explaining the role of the griot in Mande society.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaoay8wDlDM
 
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