Interesting Facts about the Fulani

1. According to historians the Fulanis migrated from the North and East to present day Senegal. In the 10th century they spread to most parts of West and Central Africa  and Sudan (being the only East African country. It is debatable though that there may be Fulanis on the edge of Ethiopia.

2. There are two major groups of Fulani:

-The  nomadic pastoral Fulani (mbororo’en) who move about with their cattle. They have no interest in civilization and live simply to sustain their cattle and family. It is unlikely that will pass the same place twice in their lifetime.

– The settled Fulani (Fulbe wuro).

The pastoral Fulani (full-time cattle keepers) who live permanently in villages and cities. They participate in every aspect of civilization from education to farming, socializing and citizenship.

3. Because of their original pastoral lifestyle, their lives and organization were controlled by the needs of their herds.

4. The Fulani were the first group of people in West Africa to convert to Islam. They worked with Berber(Northern Africa) and Arabian Islamic clerics, charting out the spread of Islam in West Africa through many jihads (holy wars).

These war efforts, helped spread Islam and dominate much of the Sahel region of West Africa confirming them not just as a religious group but also a political and economic force.

5. African countries where the Fulanis reside are Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Niger, Burkinafaso, Mauritania, Ghana, Benin, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Chad, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo.

6. The larger migration of the Fulani in the 17th century resulted in holy wars (jihads) against the local rulers as they  were displeased they were not easily integrated into the society as previous migrants.

7. The Fulani in Nigeria came in the 15th century and embraced the urban culture of the Hausa, including adopting the Hausa language.

8. The Cattle Fulani resented what they considered to be an unfair cattle tax, one levied by “imperfect” Muslims. So under the leadership of the Fulani Islamic cleric, Shehu Usman dan Fodio, the Fulani launched a jihad in 1804. By 1810, almost all the Hausa states had been defeated and re-established.

9. The coming of the Fulani into Hausaland resulted in significant changes; Islam became a prominent factor of social life and culture including education, dress, taste and outlook.

The Hausa and their Fulani conquerors became part of the Islamic culture world.

10. The language of the Fulani is called many names including “Fulfulde,” “Pulaar,” “Fula,” or “Peul,”to mention a few.

11. Nomadic Fulani women make handicrafts including engraved gourds, weavings, knitting, beautifully made covers for calabashes known as mbeedu, and baskets.

12. The traditional Fulani food is mainly got from dairy products; milk or gruel (gari) made with sorghum, Nyiiri (heavy porridge) made from millet sorghum or corn. This porridge may be eaten with Taakai/Haako made from tomatoes, pepper,onion, vegetables and spices.

Another popular meal is “Latchiiri”or “Dakkere” made from fermented milk and corn couscous. Meat is eaten occasionally.

13. The Traditional attire of the married Fulani women and men usually follows the Islamic requirements. The Nomadic Fulani women, however, do not wear veils.