Fulani Community:
A new study has found that the Fulani, one of Africa’s largest pastoral populations, have a history going back to the ‘Green Sahara’ period (12,000–5,000 years before the present).
- The Fulani are a large and widely dispersed group of both nomadic herders and sedentary farmers living in the African Sahel/Savannah belt.
They are concentrated principally in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Nigerbut can also be found in several other countries. - The Fulani language, known as Fula, is classified within the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
- Fulani are divided into three groups: Makiyaya (herders), Fulanin Soro (those living in towns) and Bararo, which refer to Fulani living in forests. Bararo retain a close cultural connection to ancestral nature belief systems and rituals.
- The social structure of the pastoral Fulani is egalitarian, in marked contrast to that of other Muslim groups, such as the Hausa.
- They value family and community, with strong kinship ties and clear gender roles.
- Polygamy is practiced, and marriage is an important cultural milestone, often accompanied by elaborate rituals and festivals.
- Their traditions are deeply intertwined with their spirituality, which is influenced by Islam, as well as their connection to the land and nature.
- Fulani women are also known for their skill in weaving and craftsmanship.
- Fulani women are famous for their intricate hairstyles, which are often adorned with beads, cowrie shells, and other decorative elements.
