What is Gassire Lute?

Gassire’s Lute is an epic by the Soninke people people of West Africa. Gassire is a prince who would be the successor of his father, but his father is very powerful.

Why is it important that Gassire is portrayed as a great hero?

Gassire’s Lute portrays a common theme of an individual choosing between what’s best for him versus what’s best for his family and society, and everything that will result from his decision. The people of Dierra saw that Gassire valued fame over life and banished him from the city to the Sahara Desert.

What does Gassire’s Lute Tell us about soninke culture?

Epic poetry and songs of ancient and non-literate cultures such as Gassire’s Lute of the Soninke people preserve their histories and cultural beliefs. Gassire’s Lute imparts a morality tale and the ancient history of a portion of the medieval empire of Ghana called Wagadu by the Soninke.

Why does Gassire long for the death of his father?

Fasa were strong warriors who fought their enemies, the Burdama, in battle everyday. King Nganamba was very old, and Gassire longed for his fathers’ death so that he could rule Wagadu. Gassire sacrificed his seven sons in exchange for fame and immortality. The people were angry with Gassire for what he has done.

Is Gassire a hero?

The last king was Nganamba Fasa, and his strength grew as he fought the Burdama and Boroma. But now he was old and his heroes were old. His son was Gassire, a mythic hero. Nganamba grew so old that Wagadu was lost.

What is the lesson of Gassire’s Lute?

Gassire’s Lute like many other epics, focuses on the conflict between what an individual hero wants for himself and what is best for his family and the society in which he lives. Like many other heroes, what Gassire wants most of all is everlasting fame.

What is dausi?

The Dausi represents a massive complex of historical and mythological dramas associated with the development of the peoples of the Sahel region in Northern Western African.

What instrument did some griots play?

kora
Griots often accompany their stories and songs with music from instruments like the kora (a stringed instrument similar to a harp) or balafon (a kind of xylophone).

What are African storytellers called?

A griot (/ˈɡriːoʊ/; French: [ɡʁi.o]; Manding: jali or jeli (in N’Ko: ߖߋߟߌ‎, djeli or djéli in French spelling); Serer: kevel or kewel / okawul; Wolof: gewel) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician.

What does griot mean in French?

griot m (plural griots) griot (African storyteller) Synonym: barde.

What is a Malian storyteller called?

Since the 13th century, when Griots originated from the West African Mande empire of Mali, they remain today as storytellers, musicians, praise singers and oral historians of their communities. And as such, have for centuries retold the history of the empire, thus keeping their history and traditions alive.

What were storytellers called?

In the Middle Ages storytellers, also called a troubadour or a minstrel, could be seen in the market places and were honored as members of royal courts.

What was the story of Gassire’s Lute about?

African Mythology. Gassire’s lute tells the story of Gassire, an arrogant warrior obsessed with everlasting fame and immortality. He gave up everything to gain immortality through the Dausi, a song that would allow his exploits to live forever. During the story Wagadu rose four times once through vanity. Once through dishonesty.

Where did the name Gassire come from and why?

Frobenius attributes it to the Soninke people of West Africa, the people associated with the Empire of Wagadu or Ghana, and the name Gassire is in fact the Soninke word for a bard/singer (known as griots elsewhere in Western Africa).

What did Gassire say to the wise man?

Gassire was outraged, but the wise man shrugged and said, “Your path in life is not that of a king, or hero. When you hear the music in the field you will understand the nature of your journey.” Each day, when Gassire took one of his sons to battle and each one was killed, seven of them in total.

Who is Gassire and how did he become a bard?

This lyrical epic narrative tells the story of a prince that becomes a bard. “Gassire is a prince who would be the successor of his father, but his father is very powerful. Gassire wants to be king very badly, and becomes a mighty warrior to demonstrate his strength.