jeli

Jeli, also spelled djeli in some transliterations, is a West African term for a hereditary class of oral historians, musicians, and poets among Mande-speaking peoples. Jel(i) serve as living repositories of a community’s history, genealogies, laws, and myths, preserving and recounting them through performance. They also compose and perform praise-songs for rulers, families, and towns, and act as mediators, advisors, and communicators between leaders and the people.

Musically, jelis are closely associated with the kora, a long-necked lute-bridge harp, and they may also play instruments such as the ngoni or balafon. Their performances typically accompany ceremonies—weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals—and political events, where they publicly recount lineage and deeds of patrons and communities. The repertoire blends epic narratives, genealogies, and social commentary delivered through song, poetry, and improvisation.

Training is usually hereditary, passed from master to apprentice within jeli families or lineages. Jel(i) roles are rooted in a distinctive social position within many Mande societies, emphasizing responsibility as memory keepers, historians, and cultural custodians. The term griottes or griots is commonly used in French-speaking areas, while jeli is the term used in Mande-language communities.

In modern times, jelis continue to perform locally and participate in national and international music scenes. Many jelis record albums, teach younger generations, and serve as cultural ambassadors for West African heritage. The tradition remains a central element of cultural identity in parts of West Africa and among diaspora communities, though it faces contemporary challenges and adaptations.