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On the Road with Bob Holman

The Griots of West Africa (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV Episode | Documentary
A griot (gree-oh) is the keeper of the West African oral tradition and the tribe's genealogy through poetic songs. Bob is invited to Gambia by his long-time friend and teacher, Papa Susso, to learn more about this musical art and see how ...See moreA griot (gree-oh) is the keeper of the West African oral tradition and the tribe's genealogy through poetic songs. Bob is invited to Gambia by his long-time friend and teacher, Papa Susso, to learn more about this musical art and see how the kora, the 21-string harp-lute is made. Bob travels up the Niger River with Papa's son, Karamo, also a griot, in search of the spirit of the African-American Beat poet, Ted Joans, who lived a buoyant life in Timbuktu in the 70s and was Bob's mentor. Along the way, Bob discovers the roots of hip-hop, rap, the blues -- all the great American musical traditions that originated in Africa. The episode concludes with a kora-guitar jam session between Karamo and Ali Farka Toure's son, Vieux. Written by Ram Devineni See less
Read more: Plot summary
Writer
Bob Holman
Producers
Ram Devineni | Beatriz Seigner
See all filmmakers & crew (8)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 1, 2012
Release date
Feb 1, 2012 (Mali)

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3 cast members
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