Velho Griô (Old Man Griô)

The Griô Project mobilizes and increases people’s awareness in the communities through the character Velho Griô (Old Man Griô), a cheerful and affectionate student teacher who sings and tells stories about Lençóis culture using an oral tradition from our afro-indigenous roots.

Old Man because, it is the symbol of a lifetime of knowledge, and Griô because it represents an African character, a nomad who hikes between communities. When Griô speaks people recognize each other because he talks about the grandfathers and great-grandfathers who link history and the lives of those people, their struggles and triumphs. We brought Griô from the hinterlands of Africa to the hinterlands of Bahia where he arrives unexpectedly in each community and school, venerating the old people and playing circle games with children, involving mothers, fathers, educators and lunch providers. Old Man Griô says:

“Out there in the hinterlands of Africa, there are men who circulate between distant hamlets learning and teaching historical and cultural facts of that region. These men are the Griôs. When a Griô arrives in the hamlets the fathers tune their drums, the mothers dress up in their best clothes and the children sit in a circle. The ritual of the Storyteller begins like this.”        

               

       “ The Old Man Griô brings fantasies. When he arrives everyone sings, everyone vibrates and stops to listen.“

                                                          Teacher Márcia]

Teachers’ Training Program

The Griô Project contributes to the quality of education of more than 1000 children in Lençóis, offering support and training to municipal educators as well as being recognized as a reference for quality education in the Chapada Diamantina area, using the bio-centric method of education, art education and popular education.

The Griô Project also gives awards to educators’ pedagogical projects, disseminating generating themes developed at Grãos de Luz.
 

”With Griô methodology, we speak the language of the community. Parents and students are interested in participating. I feel reassured and confident in my role as a teacher.”                                                                 Teacher Agnela

 

Grãos de Luz and Griô mobilize and support ten cultural groups in Lençóis

Grãos de Luz e Griô form a cultural network with more than 80 popular artists that once again began holding regular rehearsals and performances in the community. Cultural group leaders themselves manage network support from the association.
 

“When I am in the circle playing I’m in another world. I like samba and am afraid that it will end and I won’t be able to play. We start getting old and must pass this on to our sons and grandsons.” João Picopeu, Jadi’s (8 years old) grandfather and teacher Mariza’s father.

0ld man Dunga dancing with his son Antônio in an Educators’ Circle Dance.

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