The Jola people (Diola, in French transliteration) are an ethnic group found in Senegal (where they predominate in the region of Casamance), the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau.
The Jola have a very rich music tradition and have for a long time resisted Islamization and Christinization. Their Surpreme Deity is referred to as Emit or Ata Emit. Some Jola religious festivals include the Samay, Kumpo and Niasse.