# Ja — At the Earth’s Core character guide

> Ja in At the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0005-v-slaves

## Snapshot

A handsome, quick-paddling Mezop chief who hides his canoe and his people behind trails designed to baffle any pursuer.

## Who they are

Ja rules the island tribe of Anoroc and repays David's rescue of his life with fierce, practical loyalty, guiding him through jungles where every path doubles back on itself to confuse enemies. He is shrewd, generous, and cheerfully certain that the Mahars' round-world talk is nonsense. His friendship gives David a rare safe harbor in Pellucidar and a model of native wit that outmatches the outer world's science.

## In the story

### [The Mahar Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/viii-the-mahar-temple)

Mezop fisherman; saves David and explains Mezop-Mahar relations.

### [IX: The Face of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/ix-the-face-of-death)

Appears at the cliff to rescue David from the labyrinthodon by lowering his spear for David to climb.

### [Phutra Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/x-phutra-again)

Rescues David from the cliff edge, offers him a home in Anoroc, and debates the shape of Pellucidar.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/ja
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters