#1 Your story must be NON-FICITON and focus on the important and lasting aspects of the
history of sub-Saharan Africa.
The Tale should have four (4) parts, each of which addresses one of these topics in the
unit:
#1 The geography of sub-Saharan Africa
#2 Empires of West Africa
#3 Kingdoms of central and sourthern Africa
#4 African traditons
#2 Each part of your story must incorporate at least two (2) of the following non-verbal
elements to accompany the narration (Griot) and to illustrate what the Griot is saying.
Griots should make/utilize/refer to these non-verbal elements while telling his/her tale.
Music Art Replicas/Realia Props
Illustrations Slides Maps
Pictures Symbols Human Monuments
Costumes Body movements/dance Masks
Puppets Visuals Collages
#3 Each group will perform its story/tale in front of a projected slide of a map of Africa.
The role of griot will rotate among group members so that EACH GROUP NEMBER WILL ACT AS
THE GRIOT FOR ONE PART OF THE STORY.
WHEN YOU ARE NOT THE GRIOT, YOU WILL PARTICIPATE BY presenting the nonverbal
information as the griot tells/narrates the story/tale.
#4 Griot storytellling gives listerners a chance to take an active part in the tale.
YOUR GROUP MUST DECIDE HOW TO INVOLVE THE AUDIENCE IN THE TELLING OF THE STORY/TALE!
This may include having them clap hands, sing, sway their heads, move their bodies, or act
as a chorus.
#5 Each group member will be assigned one of these roles:
#1 Script Writer
#2 Researcher
#3 Artist
#5 Stagemanager
#6 EACH GROUP MEMBER IS ALSO REQUIRED TO:
brainstorm ideas, research and cobtribute information for each part of the story, help
design and perform the non-verbal lparts of the story, and to act as a griot for one
portion of the story.
#7 Each group should introduce it story by using or modifying this passage:
"Listen to me, students of Sunnyvale Middle School, and hear the great deeds of ages
past.
The words I speak are those of my teacher and her/his teachers before, pure
an full of truth, for we are griots.
Centuries of history and learning reside within our minds...
Thus, we serve our community with the wisdom of history, bringing to life the lessons of
the past so that the future may flourish (do well).
Listen then, to the story of sub-Saharan Africa's past..."
