Beyond the Griot: Artist-in-Residence Amadou Kouyate to Explore West African Traditions Through Music and Storytelling

By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts

For generations, the Djeli of West Africa have served as historians, storytellers, musicians, and guardians of cultural memory, preserving traditions and sharing knowledge through the power of oral history and artistic expression.

At Howard University's Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (CABCoFA), Professor Amadou Kouyate is helping carry that legacy forward.

An internationally acclaimed musician, educator, and cultural historian, Kouyate has served as an Artist-in-Residence with the College for several years, working across the Departments of Theatre Arts and Music to connect students with the rich artistic and intellectual traditions of West Africa.

Born into a distinguished lineage of Manding oral historians and musicians, Kouyate has devoted his career to preserving and advancing the Djeli tradition. An accomplished performer of the 21-string kora, a traditional West African stringed instrument, as well as the djembe and other percussion instruments, his repertoire spans centuries-old musical traditions and contemporary compositions incorporating elements of blues and jazz.

His career has included performances at the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, and Carnegie Hall, along with extensive international engagements. He has also studied with master musicians throughout West Africa and previously served as an Artist-in-Residence at Strathmore.

At Howard, Kouyate's contributions extend beyond musical performance. He has provided musical direction for Theatre Arts productions, moderated cultural conversations, and helped bring the College community together through performances celebrating its students and graduates. His work reflects the important connections between artistic practice, cultural scholarship, and community engagement.

Building on that foundation, Kouyate's 2026–27 residency will feature two major public programs during the Spring 2027 semester.

On Monday, January 25, 2027, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Kouyate will present Beyond the Griot: Understanding the Djeli Tradition in Past and Present in the third-floor Recital Hall of Childers Hall.

Through a combination of lecture, storytelling, and live musical demonstration, the presentation will explore the historical and contemporary responsibilities of the Djeli, whose lineage is deeply connected to the cultural and political history of the Mali Empire.

While the Djeli is often associated with the more widely recognized term griot, Kouyate's presentation will examine the distinctions between these traditions and explore how their responsibilities as historians, advisors, orators, and artists continue to find expression in contemporary society.

The experience will invite audiences to consider the role of artistic expression not only as entertainment, but also as a means of preserving identity, transmitting knowledge, and sustaining cultural memory across generations.

The residency will culminate in a second signature event in April 2027, connected to the Department of Theatre Arts' Owen Dodson Awards programming. That event will further explore the intersections of performance, cultural heritage, and community engagement, with additional details to be announced.

Together, these programs reflect CABCoFA's continued commitment to providing students with opportunities to learn directly from accomplished practitioners whose work bridges artistic disciplines, cultural traditions, and global perspectives.

For aspiring artists and scholars, engaging with traditions like the Djeli offers an important reminder that creativity does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by the histories we inherit, the communities we represent, and the stories we choose to carry forward.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the broader community are invited to join Professor Kouyate on January 25 for an evening of music, storytelling, and cultural exploration.