Beschreibung:
Parcourant la boucle du Niger (Mali), les auteurs se souviennent de Jean-Marie Gibbal que ce pays a inspiré. A l'occasion d'une recherche sur un point d'histoire africaine, ils font la rencontre d'un griot. Ce personnage truculent décrit sa vie, sa condition, dans le système des castes, les pouvoirs et les privilèges liés à sa fonction. Il fait aussi un éloge dithyrambique de la France où il a séjourné 24 ans. On comprend à travers son récit que les griots, artisans de la parole et critiques sociaux presque intouchables, attirent sur eux un sentiment ambigu de mépris et d'estime.
The great francophile griot from Segou. Travelling along the river Niger bend (Mali), the authors remember Jean-Marie Gibbal who has been inspired by this country. A research on a point of African history provides them the opportunity to meet a griot. This flourishing character describes his life, his position in the caste system, the power and privileges due to his function. He also speaks highly of France where he had lived for 24 years. His tale reveals that griots contrive the words, play the part of almost unattainable critics and draw upon them an ambiguous feeling of contempt and respect.