| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 17,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Central African Republic Chad Sudan | |
| Languages | |
| Gula,Arabic,French | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (majority) Christianity (minority) |
Gula, also spelledGoula, is an ethnic group who lives inCentral African Republic,Chad, andSudan.[1] In the Central African Republic, they live in the northern regions ofVakaga,Bamingui-Bangoran, andHaute-Kotto.[2]
Gula people are believed to have originated fromBlue Nile region in Ethiopia. Around 1750, they migrated toDarfur. In Darfur, the Gula people faced hostility from theFur. 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 eitherN'Délé orAbéché. Gula only returned to Vakaga after France subjugatedDar 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 theCongo–Ocean Railway project.[6][5] Some Gula refused to follow France's order and fled toChad.[7] Around 1960, Gula converted from animism to Islam. Nevertheless, they still retained some pre-Islam practices.[8]
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, andBoromata |
| Mele | Mélé | |
| Moto Mar | Gordil andManou | |
| 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]
Gula is a patrilineal society. For marriage, Gula allowslevirate marriage.[9] Polygamy is common practice among Gula people.[10]
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 inBria.[12]
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