A griot or jeli (djeli or djéli in French spelling) is a West African poet, praise singer, and wandering musician, and is considered a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards. The griot has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable. Although they are popularly known as 'praise singers', griots may also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political commentary.

In African languages, griots are referred to by a number of names: jeli in northern Mande areas, jali in southern Mande areas, guewel in Wolof, gawlo in Pulaar (Fula), and igiiw (or igawen) in Hassaniyya Arabic.

Griots form an endogamous caste, meaning that most of them only marry fellow griots and that those who are not griots do not normally perform the same functions that they perform.