In Māori culture in NZ, tribal elders (kaumātua) function much the same, they are the keepers of knowledge, history and cultural practices for their group(s).

In Māori culture in NZ, tribal elders (kaumātua) function much the same, they are the keepers of knowledge, history and cultural practices for their group(s). I suspect you'd find the same in many cultures that didn't have writing to transmit knowledge. (There's also the aspect of "mana", a very hard word to translate, "face", "influence", "power" or "really respected" are good approximations. A kaumātua with mana accords your group (iwi/tribe or hapu/sub-tribe) with their mana. So, say your Granddad was a renowned warrior or diplomat, even though he's in his 80s, the respect his opponents developed for him still persists, and flows onto you.)