The Gola or Gula are a West African ethnic group who share a common cultural heritage, language and history and who live primarily in western or northwestern Liberia and eastern Sierra Leone.

The Gola are found in the counties of Lofa, Bomi, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount.

The Zogbenya (Plural of Zogbe) are a specific type of Jina (Djinn/nature spirit) that are friends with the Gola ancestors.

Many Zogbe masks are found in mountains, creeks, rivers, and streams and are gifts from the other side.

Unlike the Mende, the Gola, Vai, Dei, and Bassa refer to the Zogbe as he/him.

The Mende Sowei is not as intimidating and vicious like the Gola, Bassa, Vai, and Dei ones are.

Depending on the severity of the situation the Zogbe could either confront the man or hex him with hernia which was feared.

That's why they are decorated with nets, cowrie shells, water deer horns, and dyed black.

The Dazonya (High Priests) communicated with the spirit that they needed to be properly trained for war.

They also stated in the covenant that Dadewe will be sent to a near forest when Sande is in session because the women are terrorized by his deep, loud voice.

The Poro became a trans-ethnic institution, spreading to other ethnic groups like the Vai, Mende, Dei, Bassa, Kpelle, Kisi and others.

The Poro masks such as Gbetu, Nafai, Yafi, Jobai, Nyaa, and Kɔkpɔ (KOR-kpor) have no spiritual importance like the Zogbenya.

The Poro spirit Dadewe does not need a mask, for it is heard by all the villagers when it approaches the town.

Some male Gola names are Siaffa, 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), Ciatta/Ciata/Siatta, Miata, Satta, Gbelly, 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.