Gola people
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 304,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Liberia | 278,000 |
 Sierra Leone | 26,000 |
| Languages | |
| Gola, English, Krio | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity , Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kissi, Sherbro, Temne, Baga, Limba, Loko, Kpelle, Mende, Vai, Gbandi, Loma | |
The Gola or Gula are a tribal people living in western/northwestern Liberia and Eastern Sierra Leone. The Gola language is an isolate within the Niger–Congo language family; in 1991 it was spoken by 200,000 people. As of 2015[update], it is spoken by about 278,000 people.
The name Gola is a possible source for the name of the Gullah, a people of African origin living on the islands and coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina, in the southeastern United States.
Gola Historical Figures
- Zolu Duma (aka King Peter) ruled the Gola and Vai areas in the early 19th century. He participated in negotiations with American settlers of Liberia in 1821.[1]
- Charles Taylor, who ruled Liberia between 1997 and 2003, is of mixed Gola and Americo-Liberian ancestry.[2]
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's president, is of mixed Gola, Kru and German ancestry.[3][4]
Sande and Poro
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Gola and the Vai people were the first people to come up with Poro and Sande societies and it spread to the Kpelle, Mende and much more.
Gola Names
Gola names are very distinctive and similar to the Vai, Mende and Kpelle. Some male Gola names are Ciata, Seh/Sei, Tarweh, Momolu/Momo, Kayme, Sekou, Ansa, Baimba, Bonokai, Lamie (popular among Vai and Kpelle), Kaijaah, Varney, Varfee, Jallah, Kanneh, Kengbe, Gbessi/Gbessay, Kemokai, Pese, Karmo, Gbotoe, Konowa, Buyamah/Boimah (Popular among the Vai),Kpanna,Lumah (Kpelle and Loma), and Jahn.
Some female names are Fatu (popular among Vai, Mende, and Kpelle), Jebbeh (Vai and Mende), Miata, Hawa, Musu, Jandi/Jandae, Jumah, Kemah/Kaymah, Gbessi/Gbessay, Jenneh, Cianna, Maima (Vai and Kpelle), Famatta, Fatumatta (Fula and Malinke), Bendu, Jabateh, Nyanae, Kula, Kumba (Kissi and Loma), Siah, Tenneh (Vai, Mende and Kpelle), Mabasi, Wokie, Weyatta, Yattah, Kpannah, Tatu/Tartu, Somo, Jartu, Fofannah, Zoe, Massa, Yassa, Ciatta, Lorpu, and Somah
Names that Gola and Vai people give their twins are often Konah, Sando, and Zinnah. They are both boy and girl names.
References
- ^ "King Zolu Duma". Liberia History And Culture. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ Answers.com, "Charles Taylor: Biography"
- ^ Reed Kramer, "Liberia: Showered With Enthusiasm, Liberia's President-Elect Receives High-Level Reception in Washington", AllAfrica.com, 11 December 2005
- ^ Britannica Online Encyclopedia, "Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf"
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