Baba, great job... I saw the link on Facebook earlier. Keep up the good work.

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, Baba Galleh Jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Interesting question Njok - about the jeli's version of Sundiata. All we know about Sundiata comes from oral traditions and each jeli has a slightly different take of the epic. The versions that I have read - narrated by two different jelis and translated by D. T. Niane and David Conrad do not mention Jeli Susso's bit about Sundiata cutting a piece of his flesh for his hungry griot. It probably was part of the original narratives but was edited out for scholarly puroses and to avoid feeding the stereotype of the African cannibal. Of course, Jeli Susso did not think anyone would think of Balla Faseke as cannibal or the Mande as cannibal when he mentioned this bit. To him, it was an act of great sacrifice that then yeilded everlasting gratitude of the griots. Likewise, griot accounts vary and often conflict as to the origins of the kora and the balafon. It is hard to tell when and where exactly either instrument was first invented. So personally, as a student of history, I am not in a position to agree or disagree with any account of Sundiata. I can listen to them and present them with my own readings and critiques as a student of African history and historiography; but not personally agree or disaagree with them. That unfortunately, is a function of the training I got as a professional student of history. 
>  
> Regarding Saraba, I must admit that I do not know much beyond the Ifangbondi song. Now that you mention it, I might just look here and there to see if I would bump into something.
>  
> Thanks Njok. And please do be more critical should you see the need to. That is what breeds heathly reflection. Thanks.
>  
> Baba
> ________________________________
> Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 04:05:07 +0000
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Baba, not trying to be any more critical, but do you agree with the Jali's narration about Soundiata, I understand in Kora circles that the widely held view is that the instrument was discovered in Kabou, many centuries after Soundiata's reigne, whats ur take...
> Also on a different note, what do you know of the legendary SARABA (Among Ifang Bondi's popular songs), did it actually exist or is an imaginery place?
>  
> r
>  
> ________________________________
> Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 19:20:46 -0800
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [G_L] Gambian Griot at Creighton University
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> 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 Yo

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