Griots, pronounced "greeohs", are storytellers of West Africa who use poetry and rhythm to teach villagers about their history. Their home is the territory of the Mandinke people, i.e. the states of Mali, Gambia, Guinea and Senegal, where their tradition is alive to this day. "Griot" is the French term for this class of musicians; the local term is jeli.

This oral tradition was (and in rural areas still is) central to the preservation of history and culture in ancient African societies as written language was very scarcely used. Griots also traditionally play important roles as community arbitrators and peacemakers.

Historically, these mendicant musicians were roughly analagous to the bards of medieval Europe, the most skilled making their livelihood outside of the village by performing songs praising royal patrons and extolling their virtues and deeds as well as those of their ancestors. The griots in turn were richly rewarded for their artistic service. Today, in the absence of the historical patrons, the griots instead turn their attention to successful businessmen who can more than afford to show their gratitude. Yet, the most essential service of the griot is, and remains, the storyteller and musical voice of their local community.

Compositions would get passed on to the griot's descendants to use in their repertoire, and some would make their way into general repertoire. Many such compositions survive to this day.

Griot roles are gender-differentiated. The men give genealogical information, recite historical epics, recount political events, mediate disputes and transmit news. The women sing praises and convey moralising entreaties. Both are equally important in enhancing the patron’s reputation and the integrity of the family name, although the men’s role is more prestigious. The men also play almost all the instruments in accompaniment of their own performances as well as the women’s. The men’s utterances are considered to fall into the realm of speech and oratory whereas the women’s are categorized as song. The women are showy, expressive and theatrical and have a much higher visual impact than the men do.

Griots traditionally accompany their compositions with one of the richest-sounding African instruments, the Kora, a complex chordophone that is technically classified as a harp-lute because it has structural features from both. The Kora is extremely versatile and lends itself both to accompanying recitation and complex improvisation. The traditional form of the instrument has twenty-two strings, but it is not uncommon nowadays to add a bass string, or see variants of the instrument with up to twenty-five strings.

The most famous griot clans are the Jobarteh (Diabaté in French spelling). Also known beyond Africa are the griot families of the Kanté, the Kouyaté and the Cissokho (also spelled Sissoko).

In Mali, the griots still play an important role as advisers of politicians and local chiefs. Those with the Kouyaté family name are considered djeli fama ("Kings" of the griots) Best-known griots are Tata Bambo Kouyaté and Kandia Kouyaté. Both have achieved fame outside Mali.