SOURCE: Johnson, John William. “The Bard (Griot).” In Son-Jara: The Mande Epic, pp. 22-9. 3^rd edition. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2003.

In the following excerpt from his study and translation of the Sunjata, Johnson focuses on the role and training of the storyteller.

The recitation of the epic of Son-Jara is carried out by professional raconteurs in the Mande world. A description of the social systems surrounding these professionals will help the outsider to understand the context of epic in this culture. The bard must first be placed in perspective in relation to the other castes in Mali. The social roles of the bards must be described, for reciting this important epic is only one of their several roles. The training and various occupations and economic orientation of bards will also be described. Finally, the generic specializations of the bardic caste will be listed.

Throughout the Mande world, there...