Jalis

THE JALIS OF WEST AFRICA

What is a Jali? 

A jali is a person who narrates history and stories through singing and music. They are also known as griots, but this is a French word and so ‘jali’ is preferred. The jali tradition is most common in West African countries such as Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia.

Jalis are highly skilled. The songs they sing can last for hours and are packed full of details about war, religion, and culture. The jali has to memorize all these details and sing them to an audience. For this reason, we can think of them as a musical history book. As well as memorizing stories, they also invent and improvise new lyrics for their songs to reflect current changes and developments. Their songs are therefore always evolving to include events as they happen in the present.

Another important element of the jali tradition is the instruments involved. The main instrument used by jalis is called a kora. It has 21 strings and is similar to a harp. The jalis also use other instruments such as the khalam, goje, balafon, and ngoni. Often, the jali will sing and play these instruments at the same time, but sometimes they are accompanied by a group of musicians.

History of the Jali

It is hard to pinpoint the exact origin of the tradition, but we do know that it dates back to the 13th century. In West Africa, there are jali families who pass down the tradition from one generation to the next. The children grow up surrounded by history and music and learn to memorize the necessary stories from a very young age. Traditionally, only someone from a jali family could take part in the profession, and each family used a specific instrument. Nowadays, the tradition is less exclusive and anyone can train to become a jali. Historically, the jalis also played an important role in society, as they attended marriages and naming ceremonies, and some were even involved in local politics. Another important development is the inclusion of women in the tradition, as it was previously dominated by men.

The Modern Jali  

The jalis are now seen as having a greater entertainment purpose. Their songs have become more widespread because music can now be recorded and sold online. Some of West Africa’s most famous musicians like the Guinean Mory Kanté come from jali families.

ZARA ARIF

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