Africa Map

Griots vs Textbooks

The Griots are story tellers. In some African societies, Griots basically held history in the palm of their hand. Griots told the history of their people through song and dance.

There are really pros and cons to Griots. Griots would definitely make history much more interesting than reading it out of a textbook. Personally, I find history interesting when it is told through primary sources, personal accounts. I hate it when history is presented as nothing more than facts, dates, and laws. I find this boring. Griots are nice because they have that personal touch added to them, and they also take advantage of music as a medium to entertain. The con to griots is that they can be very unreliable. Griots learn their history, passed down to them through passed griots, really. It's like playing the telephone game. The originial story can get twisted and lose its meaning as it is passed down. It also can be twisted by bias. Griot stories only shows the point of view of whatever side the griot is on.

I think Textbooks really are better for learning history. They provide valid information, and are written down, so you can always verify it, in a way. Primary sources and personal accounts sometimes are included in textbooks too.

... An occassional song wouldn't be bad though...

Mongol Trial

THE MONGOLS ARE GUILTY! ... No really, I wasn't in class today, did we win?

I enjoyed this project. Maybe it's because I already did a mock trial for Napoleon last year, or maybe it's the fact that I solely did the opening statement but I found it relatively easy. Most of my information came from the book and movies we watched in class, but it was sufficient to write an acceptable opening statement. I think I did well. I only wish I had my opening statement memorized better, so that I could make better eye contact with the audience. Apart from that, I think I did well. I woke up that morning planning on wearing sweatpants, but i sprung for jeans when I remembered the trial. I mean, that's got to mean something. :)

I see the Mongols as selfish. Not exactly as ruthless as I made them out be, although they are ruthless. I see them as selfish because every action was for their own good. The Mongols only had their own best interests at heart. Yes, they would allow the talented from the conquered people to live in Karakorum with good social standing, but only because they lacked someone of equal talent among their own ranks.

Call me biased, but I do think the Mongols are guilty of Kidnapping and Terrorism. I'll give the defense side genocide. Although they did brutally kill innocent people, they didn't discriminate who they killed, and I guess, on a technicality, that means they aren't guilty of genocide. However, the Mongols are completely guilty of kidnapping and terrorism.