I was born and raised in The Gambia, also known as “the smiling coast of Africa,” in a household with a strong artistic tradition. My family belongs to the Jali or griot community, which is responsible for preserving West African culture, customs, and traditions. The Jali played a critical role in developing the Mande Empire’s “kurukan Fuga,” a historic set of laws inscribed on the list of intangible human heritage by UNESCO in 2009.

Growing up in a Jali household, I learned the many roles that griots play in society, including as oral historians, poets, storytellers, praise singers, cultural mediators, orators, and musicians. My mother, a griot, traces her roots back to the 12th century and has passed down her knowledge to me. I also pursued an academic career and completed a master’s thesis on the subject at Tampere University. Through my studies, I learned research techniques and worked as an assistant lecturer, honing my skills in oral music instruction.

The Kora, a 21-string instrument played by griots, is a vital part of the cultural practices of storytelling, oral history, and singing. My mother’s late brother, Jali Alhaji Mbye, was a skilled Kora player, oral historian, and storyteller who taught me the art of storytelling. Griots use the Kora to compose songs that tell the tale of momentous events, and it remains one of the most renowned musical instruments in the world, having been used to chronicle West Africa’s historical past dating back 400 years.

During my travels and studies at various universities, I found that the material available on Gambian arts and culture, customs, and African civilizations was often insufficient or presented through a European lens of colonization and slavery. In response, I collaborated with others to create the Sonko Dynasty platform, where I share stories about Gambian culture and traditions and promote cross-cultural understanding. Through storytelling, I hope to break down cultural barriers and increase awareness and appreciation of the rich history and heritage of The Gambia, West Africa, and the African continent as a whole.

Attached is my master’s degree thesis from Tampere University in Finland related to the griots in an informal institution https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/140395 .