The Atlas Obscura Podcast The Living Libraries of West Africa
Nov 6, 2025
Eliot Stein, a journalist and author, dives into the fascinating world of the djeli tradition, ancient West African storytellers. He shares his journey tracing this heritage back to the Mali Empire and introduces us to Bala Kuyate, a modern djeli balancing life as a convenience store worker and a cultural custodian. Eliot explores the rich roles of jeli in their communities, the evolution of their music, and the challenges of preserving tradition in today's world. This engaging conversation reveals the vibrant connection between history and contemporary artistry.
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Jeli As Living Libraries
- Jeli (jelly) are hereditary bards who function as living libraries, preserving history, genealogies, and social rituals.
- Eliot Stein explains they serve as historians, praise singers, negotiators, and community peacemakers critical to social cohesion.
Origin Story Of The Balafon Keeper
- Sundiata Keita founded the Mali Empire and gifted Bala Faseke Kuyate the balafon as official chronicler 800 years ago.
- The balafon tradition anchored oral history and musical lineages that influenced instruments like the kora and modern music forms.
Heir Lives In Medford, Not Mali
- The Soso Bala remains in a small Guinean village and can only be moved by its keeper; Bala Kuyate is the heir apparent.
- Eliot Stein discovered Bala living in Medford, Massachusetts, maintaining ties to the sacred instrument despite living abroad.
