The Jula are a Muslim people with the village of Kong in northern Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) as their home base. They are scattered over a wide area in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. They descended from Manding traders who migrated along ancient trade routes coming down from Mali in the north. They established a base at Kong in northern Côte d'Ivoire thus linking by trade the forested regions to the south with the more arid region south of the Sahara desert to the north. The name jula means "itinerant trader," and the people are well respected for their trading abilities.

The Jula are the descendants of the Malinke (Mandingo), inheritors of the ancient Mali empire. Situated between the Arab world to the north and the black African nations to the south, Mali has always been the cultural crossroads of western Africa. The result is a rich cultural mix that the Jula contribute to through their music, dance, and beautiful jewelry.

What are their lives like?

The Jula have different lifestyles depending on income and where they live. In the large cities such as Abidjan or Bouaké many Jula have adopted a modern lifestyle. In their villages located in northern Côte d'Ivoire, they are often farmers using simple hand tools to cultivate small fields of between 2 and 5 acres. Some practice weaving of traditional cloth and others are still traders. For the Jula, relationships with others are important and much daily activity is built around social visits. In traditional culture boys are sent to Koranic schools while girls start working with their mothers and grandmothers to do the many tasks that women must perform. Some children do attend French language public schools. Community social life is built around weddings, funerals and observance of Islamic traditions.

The Jula live in clans, and the clan is the most important aspect of their lives. The people are fiercely loyal to their clans, defending them proudly. They express their history and devotion through the traditions of dance and storytelling. The father is the head of the family and inheritances are passed down from fathers to their sons. Older males possess the most power and influence.

Among the Jula, there is generally a division of labor according to gender. Weaving, fighting, and studying Islam were traditionally male activities; while, spinning, cooking, and tending to the children were the responsibilities of the women. However, both men and women engaged in trade.

The Jula still practice polygamy (multiple spouses) and young people are encouraged to marry within their own clans. Marriages between cousins are preferred. Girls usually marry at age 16. It is surprising that nearly half of the population is under the age of 15 and only about 13% live beyond age 45. Therefore, the Jula have great respect for the elderly, especially if a man is an Islamic scholar.

What are their beliefs?

The majority of Jula are Sunni Muslim. Most of the others, whom the Muslims call "pagans" hold traditional animistic beliefs (believe that non-living objects have spirits). These "pagans" represent only 12% of the country's population. West African Islam does, however, generally retain local traditions and is more tolerant of diversity than elsewhere. Muslim scholars are held in high esteem. They are responsible for educating the people in the teachings of the Koran.