griot

A griot is a storyteller in the traditional Africal society. They would usually speak praises of the ruler and recite events from history. More frivolous things were riddles, tounge-twisters, and poems, like this one called "Song for the Lazy" from Central Africa: If you are hungry, Use your hoe The only drug The doctors know.

Information (and poem) Provided By: World Cultures: A Global Mosaic page 143

Picture Provided By: http://www.blackstorytellers.com/_borders/griot.jpg