Dyula people

The Dyula or Dioula are a Mande ethnic group, widespread in West Africa, whose traditions of long-distance trade and traditional abhorrence of war caused them to play a notable part in the peaceful expansion of Islam across much of the area. Trading in gold and kola nuts between the forest belt and the Sahara, large portions of the Dyula converted to Islam to strengthen ties with Saharan merchants. Many settled in decentralized societies and developed theological principles for living with non-Muslims.

Dioula language and people are distinct from the Diola (Jola) people of Guinea-Bissau and Casamance.

Dyula caste history

The tuntigi, or warrior class, and karamogo, or scholar class, are two classes within Dyula society.

Manding language

Dyula speak the Dioula language or "Julakan", one of the closely interrelated Manding languages of West Africa. It is particularly close to the Bambara language.

Notable members

Notable Dyulas include Al-Hajj Salim-Suwari and Samori.

References