Griots: Black Women Storytellers Bridging Generations Through Words

Storytelling has long been the foundation of African and African American culture. It is how history is preserved; traditions are passed down and voices that have long been silenced find resonance.

From the revered griots of West Africa to today’s bloggers, poets and authors, Black women have played a vital role in shaping and sharing narratives that define communities.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Black women storytellers who have not only documented history but have also influenced movements, inspired self-discovery and reinforced the power of knowing one’s roots.

There is a story waiting to be written by us all!

The Role of Storytelling in African and African American Culture

In many African societies, griots—oral historians, poets and musicians—were the keepers of genealogies, myths, folklore and community records. Their spoken-word traditions ensured that cultural knowledge transcended generations, long before written texts became the dominant medium for historical documentation. The griot tradition dates back at least to the 13th century in the Mali Empire, where these historians served as advisors to African rulers and safeguarded the memories of their people (Hale, 1998).

When Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands through the transatlantic slave trade, oral storytelling remained a means of preserving identity and resisting erasure. Enslaved people wove African folklore into spirituals, storytelling circles and coded messages, such as those found in the Underground Railroad. This tradition evolved through generations, influencing literature, poetry and journalism as African Americans fought to reclaim their narratives.

During the Harlem Renaissance (1919–1935), Black storytelling became a literary movement, amplifying Black voices and producing some of the first widely recognized Black women writers (Gates & Higginbotham, 2004). Decades later, the Black Arts Movement (1965–1975) expanded the influence of Black women writers and poets, reinforcing storytelling as a form of cultural resistance (Neal, 1968).

Black Women Who Preserve Our Stories (Women Storytellers)

Alice Walker – Literary Archivist of Black Womanhood

Alice Walker, best known for The Color Purple, has chronicled Black womanhood, resilience and spirituality. She coined the term “womanist” to center Black women’s experiences and honor their unique cultural traditions in literature.

Maya Angelou – The Voice of a Generation

Maya Angelou’s autobiographical series, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, redefined memoir writing. Her poetry and prose encapsulate the depth and complexity of Black identity, making her one of the most celebrated storytellers of the 20th century. Angelou also became the first African American woman to compose and deliver a presidential inauguration poem for President Bill Clinton in 1993 (Library of Congress, 2014).

Toni Morrison – A Literary Griot

Toni Morrison’s novels, including Beloved and Song of Solomon, weave history, folklore and memory, exploring the impact of racial trauma while centering Black narratives. She became the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 (Nobel Prize Foundation, 1993).

Nikki Giovanni – The People’s Poet

As a leader in the Black Arts Movement, Nikki Giovanni used poetry to amplify themes of love, identity and empowerment. Her work, deeply influenced by oral traditions, reflects the power of spoken word and griot-style storytelling.

Terry McMillan – A Chronicler of Black Womanhood in the Modern World

Terry McMillan revolutionized contemporary fiction with Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Her novels highlight the experiences of modern Black women navigating love, career and self-discovery.

Zora Neale Hurston – The Anthropologist and Folklorist

Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, was a trained anthropologist who documented Black folklore from the Southern U.S., Haiti and Jamaica (Hemenway, 1977). She ensured the survival of oral histories in written form, preserving the cultural traditions of the African diaspora.

Ida B. Wells – Journalism as a Tool of Resistance

One of the earliest investigative journalists, Ida B. Wells exposed the atrocities of lynching and racial injustice. She co-owned and edited The Memphis Free Speech and Headlight, using the press to fight racial violence. Her work set the foundation for Black women journalists, such as Ethel Payne, known as the “First Lady of the Black Press,” and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, a trailblazer in mainstream media (Giddings, 2009).

Becoming the Storyteller of Your Own History

Your story awaits...

Storytelling is not exclusive to novelists and poets. Every Black woman has a story to tell—one shaped by her heritage, family and personal experiences. Documenting these narratives is essential for preserving history and fostering identity.

1. Start with Your Own Family’s Story

• Speak with elders to gather oral histories.

• Record interviews or take notes on important life events, traditions and cultural practices.

  
  

2. Build a Family Archive

• Collect photographs, letters and documents to preserve family history.

• Digitize materials to ensure accessibility for future generations.

  
  

3. Embrace Digital Storytelling

• Start a personal blog, social media account or video series to share stories.

• Explore podcasting as a way to bring narratives to life.

  
  

4. Trace Your Ancestry for a Deeper Connection

• Use African Ancestry Link to uncover your lineage.

• Research historical records, DNA databases and migration patterns to better understand your roots.

  
  

5. Document Health and Wellness Ties to Your Heritage

• Investigate genetic health predispositions related to your ancestry.

• Explore how traditional African and diasporic healing practices can contribute to overall well-being.

Start Your Journey with African Ancestry Link

Your history is more than a name on a family tree—it is the foundation of your identity. Knowing where you come from fosters a sense of belonging, self-efficacy and the confidence to shape your own future.

At African Ancestry Link, we empower individuals to explore their heritage, uncover family health histories and take ownership of their personal narratives. By understanding your lineage, you are not only strengthening your own sense of identity but also equipping yourself to become the storyteller for future generations.

Begin your journey today. Visit African Ancestry Link to take the first step in reclaiming your story.

Join the conversation! Share how learning about your ancestry has impacted you. Use #MyAncestryStory on social media or comment below to inspire others on this journey of self-discovery.

Sources

• Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham’s book African American Lives (2004) explores the contributions of notable Black figures, providing crucial insights into the legacy of Black storytelling.

• Paula Giddings, in her biography Ida: A Sword Among Lions (2009), details how Ida B. Wells used journalism as a weapon against racial violence, solidifying her place as a griot of justice.

• Thomas Hale, a scholar of West African oral traditions, describes the role of griots in preserving history in his book Griots and Griottes: Masters of Words and Music (1998), emphasizing their role as the original keepers of Black narratives.

• Robert Hemenway’s Zora Neale Hurston: A Literary Biography (1977) provides one of the most detailed accounts of Hurston’s dual role as an anthropologist and writer, bridging academia and folklore.

• Larry Neal’s essay The Black Arts Movement (1968), published in Drama Review, defines the movement’s mission of using art as a political weapon, directly linking Black storytelling to activism.