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The Modern Griot: Aniaba's Journey from Ivory Coast to Global Storyteller
The Art of Finding & Propelling Stories
Dumi Mabhena
November 05, 2024
The Modern Griot: Aniaba's Journey from Ivory Coast to Global Storyteller
With stories being one of our most powerful currencies, some individuals are born with the gift of storytelling in their blood. Meet Aniaba Jean Baptiste, a self-described "nomadic griot" whose journey from the Ivory Coast to Morehouse College embodies the spirit of modern global storytelling. Through his podcast "Nomadic Tapes," Aniaba is bridging cultures, connecting dots, and propelling unique stories into the world.
The Roots of a Storyteller
Aniaba's story begins in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he was born into a rich tradition of oral storytelling. As he explains,
I am the son of Daniel. My mom, she belongs to the Senufo tribe... They have this tradition of having a dedicated person in the community who goes through training and who's charged with the responsibility to tell the story of the people.
This cultural heritage of the "griot" - a West African storyteller, historian, and praise singer - forms the foundation of Aniaba's identity as a storyteller. But rather than being confined to one community, Aniaba has taken this tradition global, becoming what he calls a "nomadic griot."
From Ivory Coast to the World
Aniaba's journey is a testament to the power of stories to shape our paths. His decision to attend the African Leadership Academy in South Africa was driven by a compelling narrative:
"Hearing that narrative... I wanted to be part of that vision of Pan Africanism. And so it started with their story."
This pattern continued as he chose Morehouse College in Atlanta, drawn by the stories of its alumni and the legacy of civil rights leaders. As Aniaba puts it,
It has always been the stories of these institutions that attracted me to these places."
The Birth of Nomadic Tapes
Aniaba's podcast, "Nomadic Tapes," was born from a desire to capture and share the diverse stories he encountered during his travels. The spark came during a full-circle moment when he returned to teach at his high school in South Africa:
"I felt the need to capture these stories. Because I told myself, after this program is over, we're all gonna go our separate ways. But I had so many powerful conversations with people that were born in Egypt and raised in Pakistan, and then went to South Africa."
Recognizing the value in these cross-cultural experiences, Aniaba saw an opportunity to not just tell stories, but to propel them. He invested in equipment and started recording, driven by the belief that these stories could teach others about courage, cultural shocks, and the nomadic experience.
The Art of Finding Stories
For aspiring podcasters, one of the biggest challenges can be finding interesting guests and stories. Aniaba's approach offers valuable insights:
Look for the well-traveled: People who have lived in multiple countries often have unique perspectives to share.
Listen for languages: Multilingual individuals often have rich cross-cultural experiences.
Seek out good storytellers: Some people naturally have a gift for narrative.
Pay attention to your surroundings: Interesting stories are often hiding in plain sight.
But perhaps most importantly, Aniaba emphasizes the need for balance:
"I find life to be sometimes a balance between one, knowing your story and telling your story boldly...and two, make yourself small enough to lead, to listen to other stories around you."
Overcoming Challenges
Like many podcasters, Aniaba faces challenges with time management and the need for a team. He candidly shares:
The biggest pain for me is not having a proper team and also not having enough time.
Despite these hurdles, Aniaba has managed to produce high-quality content consistently. His experience highlights the importance of developing strong self-management skills and habits, rather than relying solely on time management tools.
The Future of Nomadic Tapes
Aniaba's vision for the future of his podcast is ambitious and exciting. He plans to:
Transition to video content while maintaining the audio podcast
Build a solid production team to elevate the quality
Experiment with impromptu storytelling and street interviews
As he puts it, "Nomadic tapes is not indoor tapes. It's nomadic tapes. So we're about going out... I would love to just go out to the world and meet people."
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Podcasters
Embrace your unique background: Your personal history and cultural heritage can be a powerful foundation for storytelling.
Follow compelling narratives: Let interesting stories guide your path and content.
Balance boldness with humility: Be confident in sharing your story, but also make space to truly listen to others.
Look beyond the obvious: Interesting stories often come from unexpected places and people.
Persist through challenges: Time management and building a team are common hurdles, but they can be overcome with dedication.
Connect with Aniaba
Ready to Start Your Podcasting Journey?
Aniaba's story demonstrates the power of podcasting to connect cultures, share unique perspectives, and build bridges across the globe. If you're inspired to start your own podcasting journey, Shanda is here to help. Our intuitive editing software can help you manage the technical aspects of podcast production, freeing you to focus on what really matters - the stories.
Start your free trial today and join a global community of storytellers who are using their voices to make the world a little smaller and a lot more connected.
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