The Importance and Origins Of Oral Histories

“Without us, the names of kings would be forgotten, we are the memory of humankind. By the spoken word, we give life to the facts and actions of kings in front of the young generation”

The Griots were the majestic story tellers of West Africa and carried the history and narratives of the village orally from generation to generation. The West African Griots became a breathing artifact, conserving the memories of kingdoms. Through the spoken word the Griot would impart wisdom and forgotten memories from the past to the younger generations, so that future generations could know the strength of their ancestors, and learn valuable life lessons that the ancestors taught through their existence. The Griots became the living libraries of society, and were regarded as noble because they were the keepers of the legacy of a nation.
   
Within Acworth, Georgia there are those who carried the rich traditions of the West African Griot, becoming the curators of history, and preserving the legacy of the African descendants within Acworth, Georgia. Through their oral histories, they have given insight, and cracked the door to a rich past that has been forgotten. Through their memory, they have allowed a vanished past to spring to life. We honor the history keepers of Acworth, Georgia, and learn from their oral histories. May their spoken words pass on to generations to generations, and become a teaching tool to the future of Acworth, Georgia. We speak your names: Helen Hill, Ray Charles Kemp,  Henry Wise, and countless others.

James, John. "The Griots Of West Africa Much More Than Story-Tellers." Word Of Mouth. 2012. Accessed 2015.