Gula, also spelled Goula, is an ethnic group who lives in Central African Republic, Chad, and Sudan.[1] In the Central African Republic, they live in the northern regions of Vakaga, Bamingui-Bangoran, and Haute-Kotto.[2]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 17,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Central African Republic Chad Sudan | |
| Languages | |
| Gula, Arabic, French | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (majority) Christianity (minority) |
History
Gula people are believed to have originated from Blue Nile region in Ethiopia. Around 1750, they migrated to Darfur. In Darfur, the Gula people faced hostility from the Fur. Consequently, they migrated to an area near Lake Mamoun, Vakaga, in 1795.[3] Lake Mamoun was chosen because there was plenty of fish, and the area was uninhabited before they arrived.[4]
In the 19th century, Gula people were often attacked by slave raiders from Darfur, Dar al Kuti, and Kara. Moreover, they had to pay a tribute of 1,000 slaves, ivory, honey, and copper to Darfur.[3] Enslavement of Gula reached its peak in 1890-1911 when Dar al Kuti's ruler, Muhammad al-Sanussi, sent slave raiders to the Gula region to obtain slaves and pillage the villages. Hence, by 1905, Vakaga was depopulated and Gula fled to either N'Délé or Abéché. Gula only returned to Vakaga after France subjugated Dar al Kuti in 1911.[5]
In 1926–1927, France ordered Gula to live in settlements along the Ouanda Djalle-Birao Road for defensive purposes. They also recruited Gula men for the Congo–Ocean Railway project.[6][5] Some Gula refused to follow France's order and fled to Chad.[7] Around 1960, Gula converted from animism to Islam. Nevertheless, they still retained some pre-Islam practices.[8]
Groups
Gula is divided into two major groups and eight subgroups:[7]
| Major Group | Sub Group | Villages |
| Water People | Molo or Gula Mamoun | Ndolo Sere or Kididji, Vodomasa, Oulou, Mangafara, Jenzir, Sadjer, Ngede, and Boromata |
| Mele | Mélé | |
| Moto Mar | Gordil and Manou | |
| Sara | Maka, Ndiffa I, Kava Guludu (Ndifa), Ketebe, Kabala, Dem Ngonj and Lemena III | |
| Mere | Tiringoulou and Ouandjia | |
| Mountain People | Zura or Koto | Sergobo and Kumba |
| Woso | ||
| Mutu | ||
Each sub-group has its dialect and Sara is the most distinct dialect.[7]
Social life
Gula is a patrilineal society. For marriage, Gula allows levirate marriage.[9] Polygamy is common practice among Gula people.[10]
Economic life
Gula people heavily rely on agriculture, hunting, and fishing for their livelihood. Millet, sorghum, and peanuts are the plants that the Gula people cultivate. They also made alcoholic beverages made from millet. Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park is the place where Gula does their hunting activities.[11]
Nowadays, Gula also involve in diamond mining activity in Bria.[12]
Notable people
- Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène, current minister of justice
- Herbert Gontran Djono Ahaba, Central African politician and current minister of transport and civil aviation
- Michel Djotodia, former president of Central African Republic[13]
- Joseph Kalite, former minister of agriculture and health.
- Damane Zakaria, Central African warlord and former leader of Patriotic Rally for the Renewal of the Central African Republic
- Joseph Zoundeiko, Central African warlord
References
Bibliography
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