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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 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.
The professional group of the griots has been reserved strictly to men (with very few exceptions since approx. 1970, among them Sara M'Bodji) and especially to the men of certain clans. The most famous of these 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).
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