#dyula

This is a compilation of supplementary letters from the primary scripts of the world.

▪︎Do Muso Mask.

Date: late 18th-late 19th century

Place of origin: Côte d'Ivoire, Africa

Culture: Dyula

Dyula (Julakan/ߖߎ߬ߟߊ߬ߞߊ߲)

Basic facts

Number of native speakers: 6.8 million

Spoken in: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali

Script: Latin, 28 letters/N’Ko, 25 letters

Grammatical cases: 0

Linguistic typology: agglutinative, SVO

Language family: Mande, Western Mande, Manding-Kpelle, Central Mande, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, East Manding

Number of dialects: -

History

1949 - invention of the N’Ko script

1973 - the Latin alphabet is adapted for Dyula

Writing system and pronunciation

These are the letters that make up the Latin script: a b c d e ɛ f g h i j k l m n ɲ ŋ o ɔ p r s t u v w y z.

These are the letters that make up the N’Ko script: ߊ ߋ ߌ ߍ ߎ ߏ ߐ ߓ ߔ ߕ ߖ ߗ ߘ ߚ/ߙ ߛ ߜ ߝ ߞ ߟ ߡ ߢ ߣ ߤ ߥ ߦ.

Although the Latin alphabet is the only official script, N’Ko is still in use.

There are two tones: high and low. However, they are not usually marked in writing.

Grammar

Nouns have two numbers (singular and plural). Gender can be marked by adding a suffix.

Postpositions are used to express direction, location, and possession.

Verbs are not conjugated per se, but tense and affirmation and negation are expressed using markers. Transitive and intransitive verbs have different conjugations.

Dialects

Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮

Basic facts

Official name: République de Côte d'Ivoire (Republic of Côte d’Ivoire)

Capital city: Yamoussoukro

Population: 30.9 million (2023)

Demonym: Ivorian

Type of government: unitary presidential republic

Head of state and government: Alassane Ouattara (President)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $202.64 billion (2023)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 41.5% (high) (2015)

Human Development Index: 0.534 (low) (2022)

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Fun fact: It is home to the largest church in the world.

Etymology

The country’s name comes from French and means “coast of ivory”, which reflects the main colonial trade commodity.

Geography

Côte d’Ivoire is located in West Africa and borders Burkina Faso to the northeast, Ghana to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Liberia to the west, and Guinea and Mali to the northwest.

There are three climates: tropical rainforest in the southwest, tropical monsoon in the southeast and southwest, and dry-winter tropical savanna in the rest. Temperatures range from 18 °C (64.4 °F) in winter to 33 °C (91.4 °F) in spring. The average annual temperature is 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).

The country is divided into twelve districts (districts), which in turn are divided into 31 regions (régions), and two autonomous districts (districts autonomes). The largest cities in Côte d’Ivoire are Abidjan, Bouaké, Daloa, Korhogo, and Yamoussoukro.

History

1235-1672: Mali Empire

1430s-1591: Songhai Empire

1650-1895: Gyaman

1650-1898: Kénédougou Kingdom

1701-1901: Ashanti Empire

1710-1898: Kong Empire

1848-1980: Kingdom of Kabadougou

1870s-1896: Kingdom of Sanwi

1893-1960: Colony of Côte d’Ivoire

1960-present: Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

1999: coup d’état

2002-2007: First Ivorian Civil War

2010-2011: Second Ivorian Civil War

Economy

Côte d’Ivoire mainly imports from China, Nigeria, and France and exports to the Netherlands, the United States, and France. Its top exports are cocoa, gold, and refined oil.

It is one of the largest producers of cocoa beans and palm oil. Services represent 53.3% of the GDP, followed by industry (26.6%) and agriculture (20.1%).

Côte d’Ivoire is a member of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, la Francophonie, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Demographics

The Akan people represent 42.1% of the population, followed by the Gur (17.6%), Northern Mandé (16.5%), Kru (11%), and Southern Mandé (10%). The main religion is Islam, practiced by 42.5% of the population, most of which are Sunni.

It has a positive net migration rate and a fertility rate of 3.4 children per woman. 52.7% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 62.2 years and the median age is 20.3 years. The literacy rate is 89.9%.

Languages

The official language of the country is French, spoken by 33.6% of the population. The most widely spoken languages are Anyin, Attié, Baoulé, Bété, Dan, Dyula, Guro, and Senari.

Culture

Each ethnic group has its own culture, but their music is characterized by simultaneous rhythms and melodies.

Men traditionally wear a shirt, pants, and a wrap piece of cloth. Women wear a long dress (pagne) or a blouse with a wrap-around skirt and a headscarf.

Architecture

Traditional houses in Côte d’Ivoire are made of adobe and conical thatched roofs made of straw.

Cuisine

The Ivorian diet is based on corn, fish, meat, rice, and vegetables. Typical dishes include attiéké (grated cassava), claclo (sweet banana beignets), gombo frais (a stew of okra and tomato served with fried banana or rice), kedjenou (a spicy stew of chicken and vegetables), and maafe (meat in peanut sauce).

Holidays and festivals

Like other Christian and Muslim countries, Côte d’Ivoire celebrates Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Day, Mawlid, the Night of Power, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. It also commemorates New Year’s Day. Specific Ivorian holidays include Independence Day on August 7 and National Peace Day on November 15.

National Peace Day

Other celebrations include the Dipri Festival, which honors ancestors; the Festival of Masks, during which dance competitions are held, and the Popo Carnaval.

Festival of Masks

Landmarks

There are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Comoé National Park, Historic Town of Grand-Bassam, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Sudanese style mosques, and Taï National Park.

Taï National Park

Other landmarks include the archeological park of Ahouakro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, la Dent de Man mountains, the Man Waterfalls, and the Tengrela Mosque.

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

Famous people

Ananias Leki Dago - photographer

Christian Lattier - sculptor

Didier Drogba - soccer player

Diêm Camille - actress

Gabriel Tiacoh - athlete

Laetitia Ky - artist

Marguerite Abouet - writer

Marie-Josée Ta Lou - athlete

Mathilde Moraeau - painter

Sidiki Bakaba - actor

Laetitia Ky

Burkina Faso 🇧🇫

Basic facts

Official name: Burukina Faso/Burkina Faso/Burkĩna Faso (Dyula/Fula/Mooré)

Capital city: Ouagadougou

Population: 22.4 million (2023)

Demonym: Burkinabè

Type of government: unitary republic

Head of state: Ibrahim Traoré (President)

Head of government: Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla (Prime Minister)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $62.78 billion (2023)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 38.9% (medium) (2020)

Human Development Index: 0.438 (low) (2022)

Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)

Fun fact: It hosts the largest African film festival.

Etymology

“Burkina” comes from Mooré and means “upright”, while “Faso” comes from Dyula and means “fatherland”, so the country’s name means “land of the honest men”.

Geography

Burkina Faso is located in West Africa and borders Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, Côte d’Ivoire to the southwest, and Mali to the northwest.

There are three climates: hot desert in the north, hot steppe in the center, and tropical savanna in the south. Temperatures range from 16 °C (60.8 °F) in winter to 39 °C (102.2 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 30.4 °C (86.7 °F).

The country is divided into thirteen regions (marabolow/ɗereeji/tẽnsa), which are further divided into 45 provinces (mara/diiwanuuji/provense). The largest cities in Burkina Faso are Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, Banfora, and Ouahigouya.

History

3rd-13th centuries: Bura culture

15th century-1896: Mossi Kingdoms

1710-1898: Kong Empire

1919-1932: Upper Volta

1932-1947: Colony of Niger

1947-1958: Upper Volta

1958-1984: Republic of Upper Volta

1984-present: Burkina Faso

1985: Agacher Strip War

2014: uprising

2022: coups d’état

Economy

Burkina Faso mainly imports from Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan, and Ghana and exports to Benin, Togo, and Japan. Its top exports are gold, cotton, and sesame seeds.

The majority of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Services represent 44.9% of the GDP, followed by agriculture (31%) and industry (23.9%).

Burkina Faso is a member of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, la Francophonie, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Demographics

Mossi people represent 53.7% of the population, followed by the Fulani (6.8%), Gurunsi (5.9%), Bissa (5.4%), Gurma (5.2%), Bobo (3.4%), Senufo (2.2%), Bissa (1.5%), and Lobi (1.5%). The main religion is Islam, practiced by 63.8% of the population, the majority of which is Sunni.

It has a negative net migration rate and a fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman. 31.9% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 63.44 years and the median age is 17.9 years. The literacy rate is 41.2%.

Languages

The official languages of the country are Bissa, Dyula, Fula, and Mooré, spoken by 3.2%, 5.7%, 9.3%, and 40.5% of the population, respectively. The working language is French, but less than 15% of the population uses it on a daily basis.

Culture

Two key elements of Burkinabè culture are indigenous masks used in sacrifice rites and dancing. Spirituality is very important for the Burkinabè.

Men wear a cotton shirt and pants (kurug). Women wear a colorful top and a long, cotton skirt.

Architecture

Traditional houses in Burkina Faso are round and made of mud and clay with thatched roofs. They sometimes feature geometric patterns on the walls.

Cuisine

The Burkinabè diet is based on beans, corn, sorghum, potatoes, rice, and vegetables. Typical dishes include babenda (a stew of fermented beans, fish, cabbage, and/or spinach), banfora (puffed pancakes with cinnamon, pineapple, and sugar), ragout d’igname (a yam stew), riz gras (rice with meat, onions, and tomatoes), and tô (polenta-style cakes served with a vegetable sauce).

Holidays and festivals

Like Christian and Muslim countries, Burkina Faso celebrates Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mawlid. It also commemorates New Year’s Day, International Women’s Day, and Labor Day.

Specific Burkinabè holidays include Revolution Day on January 3, which celebrates the 1966 coup d’état; Day of Customs and Traditions on May 15; Independence Day on August 5; Martyrs’ Day on October 31, dedicated to the victims of the 2015 failed coup, and Proclamation of Independence Day on December 11.

Day of Customs and Traditions

Other celebrations include the Mask and Arts Festival and the National Culture Week.

Mask and Arts Festival

Landmarks

There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso, Ruins of Loropéni, and W-Arly Pendjari Complex, a transnational group of three national parks.

Ruins of Loropéni

Other landmarks include the Bobo-Dioulasso Grand Mosque, the Bourzanga necropolis, the Douna Caves, the Sindou Peaks, and the Tengrela Falls.

Bobo-Dioulasso Grand Mosque

Famous people

Apolline Traoré - movie director

Bil Aka Kora - musician

Diébédo Francis Kéré - architect

Georgie Badiel - model

Jacky Ido - actor and director

Joris Bado - basketball player

Monique Iboudo - activist and writer

Odile Sankara - artist and actress

Philomaine Nanema - comedian

Thomas Sankara - military officer

Monique Iboudo

CONGRATS TO Q-TIP, HE IS A PROUD MEMEBER OF THE DYULA!

The Dyula (Dioula or Juula) are a Mande ethnic group inhabiting several West African countries, including the Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, andGuinea-Bissau.

Characterized as a highly successful merchant caste, Dyula migrants began establishing trading communities across the region in the fourteenth century. Since business was often conducted under non-Muslim rulers, the Dyuladeveloped a set of theological principles for Muslim minorities in non-Muslim societies. Their unique contribution of long-distance commerce, Islamic scholarship and religious tolerance were significant factors to the peaceful expansion of Islam in West Africa

Suwarian Tradition

Over time dyula colonies developed a theological rationale for their relations with non-Muslim ruling classes and subjects in what author Nehemia Levtzion dubbed “accommodationist Islam”. The man credited with formulating this rationale is SheikhAl-Hajj Salim Suwari, a Soninke cleric from the core Mali area who lived around 1500. He made hajj to Mecca several times and devoted his intellectual career to developing an understanding of the faith that would assist Muslim minorities in “pagan” lands. He drew on North African and Middle Eastern jurists and theologians who had reflected on the situations of Muslims living among non-Muslim majorities, situations that were frequent in the centuries of Islamic expansion.

Sheikh Suwari formulated the obligations of Muslim minorities in West Africa into something known as the Suwarian tradition. It stressed the need for Muslims to coexist peaceably with unbelievers, and so justified a separation of religion and politics. In this understanding Muslims must nurture their own learning and piety and thereby furnish good examples to the non-Muslims around them. They could accept jurisdiction of non-Muslim authorities, as long as they had the necessary protection and conditions to practice the faith. In this teaching Suwari followed a strong predilection in Islamic thought for any government, albeit non-Muslim or tyrannical, as opposed to none. The military jihad was a resort only if the faithful were threatened. Suwari discouraged dawah (missionary), instead contending that Allah would bring non-Muslims to Islam in His own way; it was not a Muslims responsibility to decide when ignorance should give way to belief. Since their Islamic practice was capable of accommodating traditional cults, dyula often served as priests, soothsayers and counselors at the courts of animist rulers

Hodinisavos / We're taking a break

Rough, rough sketch of Drago and his best friends Bab and Dyula. Whenever I get around to painting this, there will be pots and things in the centre, which they are working on. They are Kalderash after all.