griot

Where does the word "griot" come from? It comes from French griot, and was adopted directly into English (1820).

Griot’s story begins in French: griot meant “a West African storyteller, musician, and oral historian.” Of disputed origin; possibly from Portuguese criado (servant) or a West African language, though etymonline calls the true source unknown. It reached English by 1820 as griot. Mande griots such as the singers of the Epic of Sundiata preserve family histories. Today, griot means a West African storyteller, musician, and oral historian.

1. Stage 1 · French · 1600s griot "a West African storyteller, musician, and oral historian", of disputed origin; possibly from Portuguese criado (servant) or a West African language, though etymonline calls the true source unknown.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1820 griot "a West African storyteller and oral historian", Mande griots such as the singers of the Epic of Sundiata preserve family histories.