Griots essays

Griots essays Among the things existing in the world, speech is the only thing given birth in the world. Little discoveries lead to big discoveries. Speech is a link and establishes order. It includes images, metaphors, stories, and proverbs. The Griots of West Africa use speech to establish a link to the people. The Griots entertain and educate a village. Like the common folklore that we know, Griots memorize lineage, practice traditional rituals, tell myths, pass on wisdom, sing songs of praise, and tell epics and history. For example, in Mali, using oral tradition, they say that if there is a full eclipse of the moon, it is because a black cat covers it and they drive it away using a drum. Oral tradition is a part of the Griot tradition. Griots use the old speech to tell myths and communicate. Even though it may become dormant, old speech will never die. Itll reemerge when the time is right. The Griot tradition is passed on only if you are born into a specific caste. The nobles who support them are their benefactors. They attend story events and apprenticeships. If this does not work out, they become commoners such as farmers and herders. If they continue, they educate themselves from the master Griot by learning about cooking, cleaning, instruments, genealogy, praise songs, and politics. It is believed a Griot is born a Griot and it just takes time to release that, that is within. Although West Africans are being introduced to more modern appliances, the Griot tradition will never die. Theyll use televisions and generators, but the old speech will still be passed on. Oral traditions will be remembered and spoken as well as the process to preserve and pass on the Griot tradition. ...

A Summary of A Christmas Carol

A Summary of 'A Christmas Carol' Charles  Dickens  is one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era. His novella A Christmas Carol is considered by many to be one of the great Christmas stories ever written. Its been popular since its first publication in 1843. Dozens of movies have been made of the story along with countless stage reproductions. Even the Muppets took a turn acting out this story for the silver screen with Micheal Caine starring in the 1992 movie. While the story does include an element of the paranormal it is a family friendly  tale with a great moral. Setting and Storyline This short tale takes place on Christmas Eve when Ebenezer  Scrooge is visited by three spirits. Scrooges name has become synonymous  with not only greed but a hatred of Christmas cheer. Hes portrayed at the start of the show as a man who only cares for money. His business partner Jacob Marley died years earlier and the closest things to a friend he has is  his employee Bob Cratchit. Even though his nephew invites him to Christmas dinner, Scrooge refuses,  preferring to be alone.    That night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Marley who warns him that he will be visited by three spirits. Marleys soul has been condemned to hell for his greed but he hopes the spirits will be able to save Scrooge. The first is the ghost of Christmas past who takes Scrooge on a journey through the Christmass of his childhood first with his younger sister then with his first employer Fezziwig. His first employer is the exact opposite of Scrooge. He loves Christmas and people, Scrooge is reminded of how much fun he had during those years.   The second spirit is the ghost of Christmas Present, who takes Scrooge on a tour of his nephew and Bob Cratchits holiday. We learn that Bob has a sickly son named Tiny Tim and that Scrooge pays him so little the Cratchit family lives in near poverty. Even though the family has many reasons to be unhappy, Scrooge sees that their love and kindness towards each other brightens even the hardest of situations. As he grows to care for Tiny Time he is warned that the future does not look bright for the little boy.   When the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come arrives things take a bleak  turn. Scrooge sees the world after his death. Not only does no one mourn his loss the world is a colder place seemingly because of him. Scrooge finally sees the errors of his ways and begs for the chance to set things right. He then wakes up and finds that only one night has passed. Full of Christmas cheer he buys Bob Cratchit a Christmas goose and becomes a more generous person. Tiny Tim is able to make a full recovery.       Like most of Dickens work, theres an element of social critique in this holiday tale that is still relevant today. He used the story of a miserly old man and his miraculous transformation as an  indictment of the Industrial Revolution and the money-grubbing tendencies that his main character Scrooge exemplifies. The stories strong condemnation of greed and the true meaning of Christmas is what has made it such a memorable tale.    Study Guide A Christmas Carol TextQuotesQuestions for Study and DiscussionVocabulary / TermsCharles Dickens Biography