Dioula is a widely spoken language in West Africa, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. It belongs to the Mandé language family and serves as a lingua franca among various ethnic groups in the region. Dioula is used in trade, daily communication, and cultural exchanges, making it an essential part of the local identity. In addition to being a language, Dioula is also associated with the Dioula people, who are primarily traders and merchants. The language has a rich oral tradition, including proverbs and storytelling, which reflects the values and history of the communities that speak it.