The Djeli Is Alive and
Well in the U.S.: Praising The Women In My FamilyPeace and Blessings to everyone!
"In Africa, when an old person dies, it is a library that burns
down." - Cheikh Amadou Hampate Ba, Malian historian, scholar,
writer, storyteller and griot.
Djeli
(jay lee) - A Bambara term for the
storytellers or griots in West Africa, who have preserved the epic traditions
and songs of the Kings of Mali to the present day.
I must sing the praises of the African women in my
family (the women of the previous generation). They have kept alive
the ways, sayings and history of my family. They are the "living and
breathing tape-recorders" of the family. They record the births, marriages,
deaths, graduations, and family stories in their bibles and/or in their
memories. I am not saying that the men don't share with us the stories and
history (because some of them do) but overall it's the women in my
family who hold fast and firm to the family ties and tales. They weave the
threads that connect us as a family. Much respect must be given to them!
At various family gatherings you can
hear relatives reciting family stories. You can sit back and listen
to them talk about Poppa, Sissy, Bubba, Walter, Tiddy, "Br'ir Joe", Bloss,
and Aunt Sue (just to name a few). The telling of the stories (our stories
- our history) take on an almost legendary quality. You're hearing about your
own family. You envision the scenes and sounds. Not only are they telling the
story but they are using the words and phrases from the past. In hearing the
stories you picture yourself being there. They are the "living tape recorders'"
of the voices of the persons that they are talking about. If you never saw the
persons they are discussing (grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins or etc.) you
now have a "recording" (an idea) of how they spoke and/or their personalities.
They will even give you a visual "he was a good lookin' man about your
brother's height...you look almost like him" or "she was a dainty little lady
who loved to wear white gloves to church...your Aunt Sofie ‘favors'
her".
If you listen quietly you might
hear the names (and escapades) of older relatives' old girlfriends or
boyfriends. When that occurs you will hear someone say "chile hush
yo' mouth" followed by laughter.
When
I want to know how we are related to a particular person or family, generally,
I'll ask my mother or aunt. One of them usually provides me with the
connection - the thread. If they can't, which is not often, they will direct me
to one of my uncles (I told you some of the male relatives share the family
history and connections).
When I
attend family reunion meetings or functions my older cousins shed further light
on family history. I just sit there and listen. One of them will say
"see you sayin' the wrong thing around that one there" (pointing to me). Then
they all look at me and one will say "Lord, that's right ‘cause we're
gonna hear this again when he does a program!" Smiling like a "chessy cat", I
reassure them (while crossing my fingers or legs) that I'm not going to use
what they have said during any of my living history presentations (or at least
I'm not going to use it when they are present).
Hearing the stories of
our family strengthens the family connection. They reinforce our common bond.
They enable us to understand that we are one.
The djeli is alive and
well in the U.S. The tradition is carried on by my mother, aunts, and cousins.
My family is not that unique that the
above applies only to the Murrays, Walters, Greens (of South Carolina), Lees,
Hodges, and Smiths (of Georgia) -- my families. The above actually
applies to many African families across the U.S. so praises are given to all
African women who continue to hold up their families and pass the stories of
their families to each succeeding generation!
When we sing your
praises... we sing the praises of the family and our Creator.,
Carry
on Sisters!
A. Jamal
Toure |
