What are the musicians of the Mande ethnic tradition called? With what significant African empire are they associated? What was the geographic range of this empire? (See also map in Worlds of Music at the beginning of Chapter Three.) In addition to creating music, what other role(s) do these musicians play within their society?

What will be an ideal response?

• These musicians are called griots or jalolu (singular jali). (Jaliya is what jalolu do.)
• The Mali empire, which at its height during the 14th – 16th centuries exerted authority west from the Upper Niger to the Atlantic coast.
• These performers are professional "sound artisans" of the Mande ethnic tradition as well as "counselors to royalty, entertainers for the public, and guardians of history."