Malian Griot (Jeli) Tradition and Lineages (c. 13th century–present)

1. Mali Empire forms and court jeli emerge

   Jan 1, 1235Labels: Mali Empire, Jeli griots

   • Britannica
   • Epic Sundiata
   • Griot

2. Balla Fasséké becomes Sundiata’s jeli

   Jan 1, 1236Labels: Balla Fass, Kouyat lineage

   • Balla Fass k
   • Kouyat
   • Griot

3. Kurukan Fuga traditions shape Mandé social order

   Jan 1, 1236Labels: Kurukan Fuga, Mand charter

   • WorldCat Sundiata
   • Epic Sundiata
   • Britannica Mali

4. Epic of Sundiata spreads through jeli performance

   Jan 1, 1300Labels: Epic of, Jeli performance

   • Epic Sundiata
   • Griot

5. French colonial era reshapes patronage and performance

   Jan 1, 1890Labels: French Sudan, Colonial patronage

   • Britannica Mali
   • Epic Sundiata

6. Early 1900s collection of Sundiata materials begins

   Jan 1, 1900Labels: Sundiata collections, Print documentation

   • Epic Sundiata
   • WorldCat Sundiata

7. Niane publishes influential Sundiata text

   Jan 1, 1960Labels: Djibril Tamsir, Mamoudou Kouyat

   • Epic Sundiata
   • Djibril Niane
   • WorldCat Sundiata

8. State cultural policy boosts modern Mandé ensembles

   Sep 22, 1960Labels: Malian cultural, Modern Mand

   • Rail Band
   • Britannica Mali

9. Rail Band forms in Bamako

   Jan 1, 1970Labels: Rail Band, Bamako

   • Rail Band
   • Afropop Rail

10. Toumani Diabaté records landmark solo kora album

    Jan 1, 1988Labels: Toumani Diabat, Kaira album

    • Guardian Obit
    • Toumani Bio

11. Diabaté and Sissoko release New Ancient Strings

    Jan 1, 1999Labels: New Ancient, Toumani Diabat

    • Toumani Bio
    • New Ancient

12. Festival sur le Niger expands public platforms

    Jan 1, 2005Labels: Festival sur, S gou

    • Festival Niger
    • Quartz S gou

13. In the Heart of the Moon wins Grammy

    Feb 8, 2006Labels: In the, Grammy Award

    • Heart Moon
    • Toumani Bio

14. Trio Da Kali and Kronos release Ladilikan

    Jan 1, 2017Labels: Trio Da, Kronos Quartet

    • Trio Da Kali
    • Guardian Trio

15. Death of Toumani Diabaté prompts global reflection

    Jul 19, 2024Labels: Toumani Diabat, Bamako

    • Le Monde
    • Guardian Obit
    • Pitchfork