Griot Gifts is a volunteer-run store that presents the varied talents of griots from West Africa in music, artisan crafts and arts.

Buy invigorating, eloquent African music by West African musicians and beautiful, original gifts from West African artisans, including wall art, blankets, table linens, batik art, purses, jewelry, clothing and more.

Griot Gifts ensures fair prices for our artisans to help the economy in Burkina Faso. Griot Gifts donates 15% of the sales price to projects to help children in Burkina Faso. Your purchases and donations directly aid individuals in Burkina Faso and help Burkinabe artisans make a living.

Griots are a centuries'-old West African caste of musicians, storytellers, genealogists, praise-singers, historians, public service announcers, mediators and more.

For many griots, music and craftmaking have long been intimately linked. In many griot populations, the same hands that deftly beat the djembe, strum the kora or tap the balafon work the loom, wield the needle and carve the leather.