Origin of fulani people

Fulani

History and Cultural Relations

A search for the origin of the Fulani is not only futile, it betrays a position toward ethnic identity that strikes many anthropologists as profoundly wrong. Ethnic groups are political-action groups that exist, among other reasons, to attain benefits for their members. Therefore, by definition, their social organization, as well as cultural content, will change over time. Moreover, ethnic groups, such as the Fulani, are always coming into—and going out of—existence.

Rather than searching for the legendary eastern origin of the Fulani, a more productive approach might be to focus on the meaning of Fulani identity within concrete historical situations and analyze the factors that shaped Fulani ethnicity and the manner in which people used it to attain particular goals.

People whom historians identify as Fulani entered present-day Senegal from the north and east. It is certain that they were a mixture of peoples from northern and sub-Saharan Africa. These pastoral peoples tended to move in an eastern direction and spread over much of West Africa after the tenth century.

Their adoption of Islam increased the Fulanis' feeling of cultural and religious superiority to surrounding peoples, and that adoption became a major ethnic boundary marker. The Toroobe, a branch of the Fulani, settled in towns and mixed with the ethnic groups there. They quickly became noted as outstanding Islamic clerics, joining the highest ranks of the exponents of Islam, along with Berbers and Arabs. The Town Fulani (Fulbe Sirre) never lost touch with their Cattle Fulani relatives, however, often investing in large herds themselves. Cattle remain a significant symbolic repository of Fulani values.

The Fulani movement in West Africa tended to follow a set pattern. Their first movement into an area tended to be peaceful. Local officials gave them land grants. Their dairy products, including fertilizer, were highly prized. The number of converts to Islam increased over time. With that increase, Fulani resentment at being ruled by pagans, or imperfect Muslims, increased.

That resentment was fueled by the larger migration that occurred during the seventeenth century, in which the Fulani migrants were predominantly Muslim. These groups were not so easily integrated into society as earlier immigrants had been. By the beginning of the eighteenth century, revolts had broken out against local rulers. Although these revolts began as holy wars (jihads), after their success they followed the basic principle of Fulani ethnic dominance.

The situation in Nigeria was somewhat different from that elsewhere in West Africa in that the Fulani entered an area more settled and developed than that in other West African areas. At the time of their arrival, in the early fifteenth century, many Fulani settled as clerics in Hausa city-states such as Kano, Katsina, and Zaria. Others settled among the local peoples during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. By the seventeenth century, the Hausa states had begun to gain their independence from various foreign rulers, with Gobir becoming the predominant Hausa state.

The urban culture of the Hausa was attractive to many Fulani. These Town or Settled Fulani became clerics, teachers, settlers, and judges—and in many other ways filled elite positions within the Hausa states. Soon they adopted the Hausa language, many forgetting their own Fulfulde language. Although Hausa customs exerted an influence on the Town Fulani, they did not lose touch with the Cattle or Bush Fulani.

These ties proved useful when their strict adherence to Islamic learning and practice led them to join the jihads raging across West Africa. They tied their grievances to those of their pastoral relatives. The Cattle Fulani resented what they considered to be an unfair cattle tax, one levied by imperfect Muslims. Under the leadership of the outstanding Fulani Islamic cleric, Shehu Usman dan Fodio, the Fulani launched a jihad in 1804. By 1810, almost all the Hausa states had been defeated.

Although many Hausa—such as Yakubu in Bauchi—joined dan Fodio after victory was achieved, the Fulani in Hausaland turned their religious conquest into an ethnic triumph. Those in Adamawa, for instance, were inspired by dan Fodio's example to revolt against the kingdom of Mandara. The leader was Modibo Adamu, after whom the area is now named. His capital is the city of Yola. After their victories, the Fulani generally eased their Hausa collaborators from positions of power and forged alliances with fellow Fulani.

 "The Fula is an ethnic group of people spread over many countries in West Africa, from Mauritania in the northwest to Cameroon in the east. In Nigeria, others, and literature, usually calls them Fulani." An encyclopedic article with links to related materials. - From Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulani

Fulani __ An overview of Fulani history and culture. "The Fulani people of West Africa are the largest nomadic group in the world." - Illustrated - From The Africa Guide - http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/fulani.htm

Fulani People __ "Fulani are nomadic peoples who have been influential in regional politics, economics, and histories throughout western Africa for over a thousand years. They played a significant role in the rise and fall of the Mossi states in Burkina and also contributed to the migratory movements of people southward through Niger and Nigeria into Cameroon. They were also responsible for introducing and spreading Islam throughout much of western Africa." You will find material relating to history, political structure, art and more. - From University of Iowa - http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Fulani.html

Wodhaabhe Pastoral Fulani __ An overview of Fulani history and culture. "The diverse Fulani people are scattered all around the West African Savannah belt. This area sits between Senegambia and the French Equatorial Africa. It has been roughly estimated that there are over six million people who consider themselves Fulani, and or that speak the Fulani language." - From Minnesota State University - http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/fulani.htm

 Who Are the Fulani People?

Origins

The history of the Fulani seems to begin with the Berber people of North Africa around the 8th or 11th century AD. As the Berbers migrated down from North Africa and mixed with the peoples in the Senegal region of West Africa the Fulani people came into existence. Over a thousand year period from AD 900 - 1900, they spread out over most of West Africa and even into some areas of Central Africa. Some groups of Fulani have been found as far as the western borders of Ethiopia. As they migrated eastward they came into contact with different African tribes. As they encountered these other peoples, they conquered the less powerful tribes. Along the way many Fulani completely or partially abandoned their traditional nomadic life in favor of a sedentary existence in towns or on farms among the conquered peoples. The nomadic Fulani continued eastward in search of the best grazing land for their cattle. Their lives revolved around and were dedicated to their herds. The more cattle a man owned, the more respect he was given. Today, some estimate as many as 18 million Fulani people stretch across the countries of West Africa. They remain to be the largest group of nomadic people in the world.

What Do the Fulani Believe?

Religion and Beliefs:

The Fulani were one of the first African tribes to convert to Islam and are today more than 99% Muslim. The devoutly Muslim Fulani have seen themselves as the propagators and preservers of the Islamic faith in West Africa from as early as the fourteenth century. Historically it was a Fulani chief named Usmanu Danfodiyo, along with nomadic Fulani herdsmen who were instrumental in facilitating the spread of Islam across West Africa through evangelism and conquest. At times they would wage "holy wars" or jihad in order to extend and purify Islam. As the Fulani migrated eastward they spread their Islamic beliefs. As they became more powerful and attained more wealth they began to be more aggressive with their religion. Their adoption of Islam increased their feeling of cultural and religious superiority to surrounding peoples, and that adoption became a major ethnic boundary marker. Some settled in towns and quickly became noted as outstanding Islamic clerics, joining the highest ranking Berbers and Arabs.

Today it is difficult to find any Fulani who admits to not being Muslim, no matter how lax his or her practice may be. To a Fulani person: to be Fulani is to be a Muslim. Although they adhere very strongly to the tenants of Islam, it has been surprising to find a high level of belief that certain people possess supernatural powers. Like other West Africans, Fulani will frequent local religious practitioners who have established reputations for their curative powers. Many such practitioners - witch doctors and medicine men - are also Muslim religious leaders.

It is common to hear a Fulani tell stories of those who have the power to move themselves from one place to another supernaturally or perhaps to do harm to another person through some sort of supernatural power or curse.

What Are the Fulani Like?

Appearance

The Fulani are usually very easy to recognize. They are taller, slimmer and lighter skinned that many of their African neighbors. Often times they are referred to as "white" by other Africans. Fulani men are often seen wearing a solid color of shirt and pants, a long cloth wrapped around their faces, carrying their walking sticks across their shoulders with their arms resting on top of it. Often the men have markings on either side of their faces and/or on their foreheads. They received these markings as children.

The Fulani women are very graceful. They are seen carrying their milk products stacked in tiers on their heads in calabash bowls. Their clothes often have a background color of yellow and/or red. Their hair is long and is braided into 5 long braids that either hang from their heads or sometimes are looped on the sides. It is common for the women and girls to have coins attached to their braids. Some of these coins are very old and have been passed down in the family. The women enjoy wearing many bracelets on their wrists. Like the men, the women have markings on their faces around their eyes and mouths that they were given as children.

Economy

While the Fulani in some countries across West Africa have thrived, those in Niger and Burkina Faso have struggled along with their neighbors. Most simply do well enough to provide the basic requirements for living. Most homes are very simple shelters. Their wardrobes consist of only two or three outfits. Their meals provide only minimal nutritional requirements at best. There are few things provided beyond the tools or equipment needed to carry out their tasks.

The Fulani have long been in the cattle business. For centuries to be a Fulani meant to be a cattle owner. However, due to the increasing hardships; famine, drought and poverty, many no longer own cattle. But for a majority, they still own at least a small number of animals, whether that be the cherished cow, sheep or goats. Often times those that do not own any animals will hire out to herd for others.

The cattle are raised to sell only when necessary. Most Fulani would not choose to eat beef. Yet as need arises, they will sell a steer to provide their family with required cash. Milk and milk products are highly valued - even more than the meat of cows. For the typical Fulani, "kossam kecum", fresh milk, or "pendidum", soured milk are delicious treats. Therefore, many of the Fulani sell milk and milk by-products.

The Wodabe Fulani of Eastern Niger are among the pure nomadic herders. They seek to find pasture for their herds just south of the Sahara Desert. Some are being forced to find other means of support. However, for most Wodabe to farm is a rejection of their heritage. The Jelgooji of Eastern Burkina Faso too have clung to the tradition of herding more tenaciously than many other groups, yet they tend to be more semi-nomadic.

Many of the Fulani have taken a more sedentary life and in addition to herding they farm. The farming is mostly a subsistence type of raising crops. Those in Western Niger mostly farm millet, a fairly nutritious grain which grows well in the hot dry climate. The farming takes place during the rainy season. Just after the first rains they will plant their fields, usually around late May or early June. Long hours are spent all through the rainy season "hoeing" the weeds.

They harvest their millet in September and October. Most of the grain is stored on the stalk in small storage houses near their compounds. They will sell some to get money for immediate needs.

A source of conflict arises from time to time between herders and farmers. When the cattle wander into the fields during the growing season and eat or trample the crops due to the herders' lack of attention, tensions rise. However, most of the time a workable agreement exists between the two as the farmer knows the manure will aide his crop production. He readily allows the cattle to graze in his fields after he has harvested and prior to planting.

Culture

The cows are certainly the most treasured of the animals the Fulani herd. The cows are so special; many people say that a person cannot speak Fulfulde if he does not own a cow. The Fulani have a tradition of giving a "habbanaya" - that is a cow which is loaned to another until she calves. Once the calf is weaned it is retained and the cow is returned to its owner. This habbanaya is a highly prized animal. Upon receipt of this gift, there is a special ceremony in honor of the gift. The recipient buys special treats and invites his neighbors for this event in which the habbanaya is given a name. The habbanaya is never to be struck under any circumstance.

In the Fulani culture there are numerous taboos. One of the foremost taboos says a married woman should never speak the name of her husband, her in-laws or her first born child. Even if there is another person by the same name, she is forbidden to call them by their name. Another taboo in some Fulani groups is against eating goat's meat. The fear is that if someone eats goat's meat he or she will become a leper. Yet another taboo is against an infant drinking goat's milk. It is believed the child will itch if he or she drinks the milk.

Various life events such as naming, marriage, funerals, first child and so on - are celebrated with some sort of ceremony. The 'sorro' ceremony demonstrates to the greater community that a young man has come of age. In it, adolescent boys take turns hitting one another with their walking sticks across the chest. No outward show of pain can be shown. It is common for the boy being hit to shout or laugh after he is stricken. Although adolescents have died in this ceremony, young men are eager to participate and display their scars with pride. In some cases a Fulani man is not considered a 'true Fulani' unless he has participated in this show of strength. In Niger the ceremony is against the law but young men will gather at a local market and have the ceremony away from the eyes of the local authorities.

The market plays a very important role in the life of the Fulani men and women. They will take their donkey and carts, bush taxis or walk the several kilometers to the various weekly markets. Many Fulani women sell their milk products, straw mats, calabash bowls, homemade soaps and other assorted goods. They meet with the women from the other villages and catch up on the latest births, deaths, marriages and other important news. The men congregate around the animal market. Many come to buy or sell cattle, goats or sheep. Others come to, like the women, catch up on the latest news from around the greater area.

In between markets women or men may occasionally visit one another in their homes. The Fulani are an extremely hospitable people. They greet visitors warmly and go to great lengths to make a guest feel welcome. It is not uncommon for the visitor to leave from the visit with a chicken or some other small gift from the host

"One whose mother-in-law has fallen in a well does not consider the price of the rope." This is just one example of the many proverbs the Fulani have. It is said that if one can quote the Fulani proverbs then he can truly speak Fulfulde. The Fulani are noted for their oral literature, which serves to define Fulani identity. Fulani oral literature has been influenced both by surrounding peoples and by Islam. The major categories of Fulani literature are poetry, history, story, legend, proverb, magic formula, and riddle. Many of these are sung either by amateurs or by professionals. Many men enjoy sitting around a fire in the evenings listening to others tell stories. Because of the very high rate of illiteracy among the Fulani, the tradition of oral story telling has been maintained.

Marriage

Following the teaching of Islam, the Fulani allow a man up to 4 wives. However, a man is to only take additional wives if he is able to support them. In the rural areas it is typical for a young man of 18 - 22 to marry as he is able to acquire the finances needed. He must have enough money to present to the bride's family so they can purchase the necessary items to establish a new home and pay for the ceremony. For some young men it will take 5 or even 10 years to save the money required for marriage. The prices are even more expensive for the men in the cities and they typically do not marry until the late 20's.

For the girls it is not uncommon to be married as early as 13 - 15. Occasionally a girl will be married by age 10, but will live with the parents of her husband for a period of years. The girls in the city tend not to marry until the later teen years.

Home

A vast majority of Fulani live in rural settings. Due to tradition and their reserved nature they tend to have communities which are spread out. Each village may have a population of as many as 100 or more, but the homes or huts are scattered in groups of two or three.

In the typical family compound they have a grass hut with room for as many as three beds inside. These beds are raised off the ground, with a firm wooden foundation covered by a millet stalk mat. They are very hard, but do get one off the ground away from some of the bugs.

Outside a fire or place where fire is made is centrally located between the huts as the women tend to work together. A very large pestle and mortar are always nearby for the pounding of the grain or sauce ingredients. A mat or possibly a small stool is found just outside the hut for sitting. Some have a straw shelter to provide shade.

Family Life

During the cold season and hot season, the men tend to spend time repairing their homes, digging or re-digging wells, and preparing the fields for planting. They also spend a lot of time weaving a variety of items themselves. A 50 foot rope can be woven in an hour's time using long thin leaves indigenous to the area. Tall grasses are woven together to make the tops of the huts. Other plants are used to weave what makes the walls of the huts. Each item is inexpensive yet tedious and painful on the hands; however, it makes for very affordable housing which sheds water and stands up to the elements for one to two years.

It is the woman's role to take care of all household tasks. They spend several hours preparing the evening meal. Their meals usually consist of some sort of millet porridge with a sauce over it. Before the meal is prepared they retrieve water from the well a bucket or two at a time and often must carry it on their heads over a mile back to their home. They are also responsible for laundry, collecting wood (if there are no children old enough to search for it), caring for small children and shopping for ingredients for their sauces. In addition to these tasks the women also spend time weaving with dried grass to make mats or other useful items. Many of them are allowed to sell leftover milk or milk products in order to buy cloth or ingredients for their sauces.

Fulani children begin to learn their roles very early. While Fulani families would prefer their children to attend Koranic schools to study and memorize Koranic verses, many cannot afford the fees of the schools. Boys follow their fathers to learn how to tend the cattle or work in the millet field. When the boys reach the age of about 10 they are put in charge of following the cattle. Girls also help with the cattle if but only until about the age of 9 or 10. Other common jobs for young girls is gathering firewood and helping to look after their younger siblings. Girls are taught by the older women how to be a good wife when they are married.

What Are Their Needs?

In the first 30 years of attempted evangelization, not one Fulani became a committed Christian. The Jesus film has been translated into several Fulfulde dialects. Some dialects have the entire Bible and most have at least Scripture portions. There are radio broadcasts and storying cassettes available. Largely as a result of radio ministries, some Fulani have begun to show interest in Christianity. Continued radio broadcasting, effective scripture translations, especially in oral forms such as radio, tape, and easily learned Bible stories oriented to a shepherd culture, may be effective in winning some Fulani to Christ. However, the number of workers actively engaged in evangelism among the Fulani is extremely small in comparison to the vast numbers of peoples to be reached.

Burkina Faso and Niger Fulani Population

Population of Fula Barani unknown

Age Breakdown of Fulani

Trends:

Economic

The Sahara Dessert has been encroaching on the Sahel for many years. With the continued drive south, over the years ahead, the dessert will drive farmers and herders south or into new work. I foresee that many Fulani will be forced to live in cities and learn new trades over the next 10 - 15 years. Many have already taken up residence in the cities or have relocated to other areas. These "refugees" are likely to be more open to the gospel in this time of change and turmoil in their lives. We will need to be sensitive to target the 'city Fulani' and intentionally take the gospel to these areas.

There is word of the possibility of a devaluation of the West African currency, the CFA. It would seem that a devaluation will bring increasing hardship on all the poor, which basically means the vast majority of Nigerians and Burkinabe.

Social

It is reported that there will be a shortage of Meningitis vaccines for the coming year in countries all across the "meningitis belt". Niger, Chad, Mali and Nigeria are listed as the countries which will be most severely affected. According to WHO, 280 million people are at risk. Many of these are the Fulani. Given the greater number of them who live in rural settings, they are even a more likely target for not receiving the vaccines and contracting the disease. In the past some villages lost a complete generation of children because help and medicines did not arrive in time.

Therefore ministry can be done in a variety of ways; 1) assistance in getting and giving the vaccine, 2) educating the people about early signs and/or prevention, 3) aid in treating areas highly affected, 4) in areas of epidemic, ministry to the families and villages which have been tragically affected.

Political

Three years ago there was a small coup in connection with the presidential election to insure his place in office. With increasing tensions in country due to the economic difficulties and a presidential election yet 2 years away, caution is advised for missionaries traveling. Due to the tensions, safety is a concern since violence can erupt in many locations across the country. Not only do missionaries need to be aware of safety concerns but these tensions have also affected fuel availability for some areas of the country.

Incoming missionaries need to be briefed of these possibilities and prepared for emergency evacuation in the event of escalating violence. Also, due to the higher visibility of the "white missionary", there might be a greater opportunity for black missionaries to blend and avoid some of the violence which is intentionally directed at "wealthy" foreigners.

Religious

Islamic leaders are receiving pressure from fundamentalist groups outside of the country for more strict adherence to religious laws, especially dress code of the women. Furthermore, these leaders are likely frustrated by their own governments’ allowance of Christianity and other religions within their countries. These tensions are likely to push the leaders to decide to pursue a more fundamental or liberal shift, either of which will be advantageous for the Christian church movement. Should the push be towards strict adherence of a dress code in Niger where this code is not only contrary to cultural traditions, but also to practical living conditions, it seems people will likely call into question there beliefs in this religion.

However, should the leaders shift to a more liberal stance, this too benefits Christians. Less persecution means more freedom for building, witnessing and teaching.

FULANI

The Fulani people of West Africa are the largest nomadic group in the world. As a group they contain a vast array of diverse people who were conquered and became a part of the Fulani through the spread of Islam.

The origins of the Fulani people are highly disputed, some believe that they are of North African or Arabic origin, characterized by the lighter skin and straighter hair. Some Africans even refer to them as "white people". However, recent studies show that they descend from nomads from both North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The Fulani were the first group of people in West Africa to convert to Islam through jihads, or holy wars, and were able to take over much of West Africa and establish themselves not only as a religious group but also as a political and economical force.

The Fulani are a very proud people; they are the missionaries of Islam and continued to conquer much of West Africa. The Fulani are primarily nomadic herders and traders. Through their nomadic lifestyle they established numerous trade routes in West Africa. Many times the Fulani go to local markets and interact with the people, getting news and spreading it through much of West Africa.

The most important object in Fulani society is cattle. There are many names, traditions, and taboos concerning cattle. The number of cows a person owns is a sign of his wealth. This has caused significant conflict in recent months between the Fulani and other ethnic groups. The reason for this conflict is that the cows will many times go into the fields and eat the grains of local farmers.

As times goes on, the modes of transportation throughout West Africa have become more modernized. This modernization in transportation puts the Fulani at risk of losing their identity as nomads, and forces them to settle in farms and villages. This often creates other problems, as the Fulani are a very proud people of a unique culture and are used to ruling over the other people groups.

A distinctive difference between the Fulani and other African people is that the Fulani have a huge respect for beauty. Beauty is considered very important and one of the ways this is shown is through tattoos that are put all over the body. A distinguishing feature of a Fulani woman is her lips, which are many times a blackish color from the use of Henna or tattooing done on the mouth.

Being brave and fearless is also a very important aspect of the Fulani, and that is obvious by their numerous weapons. One tradition is that when two boys reach coming of age, the two boys hit each other with their spears, not showing any pain but instead laughing. Many have died in these ceremonies, which are now against the law in many countries, but continue to be practiced.

The Fulani normally raise large amounts of cattle and have therefore settled in the large plain areas of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The Fulani hold to a strict caste system. The four caste subdivisions are the nobility, merchants, blacksmiths, and descendents of slaves of wealthy Fulani.

The Fulani People

The Fulani people call themselves Fulve* (Pullo, in singuler).They were originally nomadic herders, traders and farming people living throughout West Africa. Today the majority of fulani people live urban centers.

While their origins are disputed, Arab writers recorded their existence over 1000 years ago. However experts believe that they originated from a region that occupied the present day Northern Senegal. Over the centuries, they migrated with their cattle to occupy vast areas in the Sahel and Savannah regions of West Africa and evolved into many subgroups with a variety of designations including Fulve, Jelgove, Gurma, Gorgave, Fellata, Fula, Fulakunda, Bororos, Wodaabe, Peul, Pulaar, Halpulaar, Liptaako, Toucouleur, and Tukolor. Presently, they live in communities throughout much of the West-Africa, from Senegal to Cameroon and as far east as Sudan and Ethiopia.The fulani range covers an area larger than continental United States and western Europe.

Historically, the Fulani played a significant role in the rise and fall of ancient African empires such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai and the Mossi states.   

They greatly contributed to the spread of Islam throughout Western Africa. More recently, slavery and colonialism dispersed Fulani throughout the Middle East, the Americas and Europe. American history books are full of individuals of Fulani origin who have distinguished themselves in North and South America and the Caribbean. Fulve have rich traditions and fascinating way of life. They have had a significant social, religious and political impact in West Africa. As minorities in most of the West African countries where they reside, the Fulani are steadily mixing with local dominant cultures. The phenomenon of local integration, combined with the impact of colonization and westernization, has slowly eroded the Fulani language and traditions.        

If nothing is done to maintain their culture and language, the Fulani will simply vanish in a few generations. Without an awareness of the unique richness and formidable contribution of the Fulani traditions and without a serious effort to conserve and sustain the Fulani heritage, their culture may be lost forever. It is increasingly important to preserve this ancient culture. Jamtan.Com will explore the history, traditions and many aspects of Fulani culture to promote a better understanding of the Fulani people.

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*Note; The letter V is read as a sound close to Bh which does exist neither in English nor in French.

Origins

Some believe that they are from a Semitic origin. According to the tradition, the ancestors of Fulani is Jacob son of Israel, son of Issac, son of Abraham When Jacob left Canaan and went to Egypt where Joseph was established. The Israelites prospered and grew in population while living in Egypt. Fulani people descended from them. After a long time a new Pharaoh who did not    

know about Joseph's fame in Egypt, came to power. He made the Israelites work hard at slave labor. The Pharaoh oppressed the people, including Fulanis who were rich in cattle. They emigrated from Egypt, some of them went back to Palestine and Syria under Moses guidance and the other crossed the Nile with their cattle and headed west. They took the name of fouth or foudh meaning those who left. A group from the latter moved along the edges of the Sahara to Touat-Air and then to West-Africa.

Those who came to Masina (in present day Mali) spread to the neighboring regions where they were rejoined by Fulani groups from Morocco. It has established that about 700AD, Fulani groups from Morocco, moved southward, and invaded the regions of Tagout, Adrar, Mauritania, and Fuuta Tooro. The cradle of the Fulani group is situated in the Senegal River valley, where Fulanis established kingdoms. Until the beginning of the IX th Century..Around that period they continued their migration in the regions of Bundu, Bambouk, Diomboko, Kaarta, and Bagana

Finally those who where concentrated in the Ferlo from the XI to the XIV century moved in various groups to the Fuuta Jalon, to the Volta river basin , to the Gurma, to the Haussa land, and to the Adamawa, Boghirme,Ouadai

Other versions of the Fulani origin include:

a- The mixing between the proto-Berber from North Africa, and the Bafur (the people who populated the Sahara)

b- Issued from Asiatic pastoral tribes that invaded Africa, crossed the Sahara and dispersed through all the West-Africa Sahalian zone

c- The Anthropologists declare that the study of many Fulbe cranian structure has indicated that they are intimately linked to the Ethiopians and that both types are very similar to the Egyptian crane structure. According to the eminent Anthropologist Mr. Verneau, the Fulbe origin has to closely link the Egypt.

Origins

Some believe that they are from a Semitic origin. According to the tradition, the ancestors of Fulani is Jacob son of Israel, son of Issac, son of Abraham When Jacob left Canaan and went to Egypt where Joseph was established. The Israelites prospered and grew in population while living in Egypt. Fulani people descended from them. After a long time a new Pharaoh who did not know about Joseph's fame in Egypt, came to power. He made the Israelites work hard at slave labor. The Pharaoh oppressed the people, including Fulanis who were rich in cattle. They emigrated from Egypt, some of them went back to Palestine and Syria under Moses guidance and the other crossed the Nile with their cattle and headed west. They took the name of fouth or foudh meaning those who left. A group from the latter moved along the edges of the Sahara to Touat-Air and then to West-Africa. Those who came to Masina (in present day Mali) spread to the neighboring regions where they were rejoined by Fulani groups from Morocco. It has established that about 700AD, Fulani groups from Morocco, moved southward, and invaded the regions of Tagout, Adrar, Mauritania, and Fuuta Tooro. The cradle of the Fulani group is situated in the Senegal River valley, where Fulanis established kingdoms. Until the beginning of the IX th Century..Around that period they continued their migration in the regions of Bundu, Bambouk, Diomboko, Kaarta, and Bagana Finally those who where concentrated in the Ferlo from the XI to the XIV century moved in various groups to the Fuuta Jalon, to the Volta river basin , to the Gurma, to the Haussa land, and to the Adamawa, Boghirme,Ouadai Other versions of the Fulani origin include: a- The mixing between the proto-Berber from North Africa, and the Bafur (the people who populated the Sahara) b- Issued from Asiatic pastoral tribes that invaded Africa, crossed the Sahara and dispersed through all the West-Africa Sahalian zone c- The Anthropologists declare that the study of many Fulbe cranian structure has indicated that they are intimately linked to the Ethiopians and that both types are very similar to the Egyptian crane structure. According to the eminent Anthropologist Mr. Verneau, the Fulbe origin has to closely link the Egypt.

Introduction to the Fulani Family

It is important know that all African cultures are characterized by their fluidity. Sociologically, acculturation, assimilation and adaptation are always taken place among Fulani. In addition to the changes brought about by human survival needs, and changing times, the local African governments are constantly effecting changes among the people. These changes are placing on the Fulani forces that significantly affect their lifestyle.

           

Traditional occupations such as: farming, fishing, artisans, jewelers, weavers, pottery makers all introduce variations in the basic family living. It is important first to understand the social group which each family belongs to, in order to truly be able to appreciate the family structure.

Therefore, generalization about any aspects of Fulani culture is not easily made. However, traditionally, the foundation for the basic unit of social and economic life is laid with the legal union of man and wife in marriage. Through their offspring and through possible subsequent marriages, the household will continue its expansion and may form a compound family consisting of the household head, his several wives and their respective children.

The Fulani family is patriarchal. The husband is Jom Galle, head of the family, while the wife is Jom Suudu, head of the household. The husband/father is the one to make all the important decisions and represent the family. The decisions of the father can be discussed, but the father is always to be respected and never to be proven wrong or embarrassed in front of his wives or children. The father/husband is considered the provider of food, clothes, shelter, and medicine.

Women exert a certain amount of power in the day to day running of the house especially during the frequent absences of the father. It is frequent to have husband and wife jointly assume full responsibility for the household in such matters as herd and land that is sufficient for their sustenance. Often, it is the wives who get involved in various money making adventures to make ends meet.

This section will introduce the Household, the Daily Life, the Social Life, and the Family relations. The Elders, Women and Youth and all aspects of Village Life will be described.

Additionally, cultural notes highlight important aspects which are not readily recognized and appreciated by non-Africans.

Evolution of Fulani Communities

The work of numerous writers on the Fulani makes it clear that no simple formula for the evolution and differentiation of Fulani communities can be laid down. Communities of pastoralists persist, and will continue to do so in their present form in regions of the savannah belt where sedentary populations remain at a low density. Administrative action coupled with ecological reform may create demarcated areas where cattle-raising will flourish on a basis more akin to ranching; enclosure may lead to mixed farming. Communities of semi-sedentarists do not represent an inevitable stage in the process towards a sedentary way of life; they may arise through poverty in cattle, or its reverse. It is believed that nomadic Fulani started to leave Futa Toro in Senegal, looking for new pastures and water for their herds around the year 1000. Following the next four-five centuries, they had spread over the most of the Sudan-zone west of Lake Chad. By the 16th century they had established themselves at Massina (upstream from the Niger Bend) and were proceeding eastward into Hausaland. Some settled in the 19th century at Adamawa (in the northern Cameroons). Many of the Fulani continued to pursue a pastoral life; some, however, particularly in Hausaland, gave up their nomadic pursuits, settled into existing urban communities. The oldest written sources mentioning the Fulani in the Baghirmi empire (southeast of Lake Chad) are dated to the 16th century. Most probably, the Fulani were welcomed by local ruler, as they brought with them cattle and constituted a market for agricultural products. The groups of nomadic Fulani had to pay a tribute in cattle to the local ruler, thus recognizing his authority. With time, a group of sedentary Fulani began to emerge. These often distinguished themselves as educated Muslims and were highly appreciated by the local rulers for their services as civil servants, teachers and legal advisers. The Fulani came into contact with Islam already before their emigration from Senegal. Conversion to Islam was especially widespread amongst the sedentary Fulani, while the Bororo (nomadic Fulani) were less receptive to Islam. Amongst the Bororo, Islam never created profound changes of mentality, but laid as a thin shell above the traditional cultural heritage, and this is pretty much how the situation remains today in the small remaining societies of Bororos. The sedentary Fulani in Futa Toro, Futa Jallon, Massina, as well as those in Haussaland, were strongly influenced by Islam. Although Fulani are all over West-Africa and other parts of Africa, the Jamtan website will focus only on regions where Fulanis had historically significant impacts. These regions which intersect almost all new West-African nations include: Adamawa, Kano-Katsina, Massina, uta Jallon, Futa Toro and the Bororo/Wodaabe.