Fula people

Regions with significant populations

Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone,

Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, The

Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Chad, Mauritania, Sudan, Egypt,

Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire.

Languages

Fula language

Religion

Islam

Related ethnic groups

Wolof and Serer

person Pullo

people Fulɓe

language Pulaar (west), Fulfulde (east)

Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe (Fula: Fulɓe; French: Peul; Hausa: Fulan; Portuguese: Fula;

Wolof: Pël; Bambara: Fulaw) are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in

West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa. African countries

where they are present include Mauritania, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, The Gambia, Mali, Nigeria,

Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Chad, Togo,

the Central African Republic, Liberia, and as far as Sudan and Egypt in the East. Fula people

form a minority in every country they inhabit, but in Guinea they represent a plurality of the

population (40%).[1]

Contents

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1 Terminology

2 Related groups

3 Traditional livelihood

4 History

o 4.1 Origins and spread

o 4.2 Rise to political dominance

5 Culture and language

o 5.1 Clothing

o 5.2 Herding

o 5.3 Music

o 5.4 Food

o 5.5 Houses

6 Notable Fulani people by country

o 6.1 Nigeria

o 6.2 Senegal

o 6.3 Guinea

o 6.4 Mali

o 6.5 Sierra Leone

o 6.6 Burkina Faso

o 6.7 Cameroon

o 6.8 The Gambia

7 See also

8 References

o 8.1 Notes

o 8.2 General references

9 Further reading

10 External links

Terminology

There are also many names (and spellings of the names) used in other languages to refer to the

Fulɓe. Fulani in English is borrowed from the Hausa term, and it is also used by the Manding

peoples, being the diminutive form of the word "Fula" in their language, essentially meaning

"little Fula". Fula, from Manding languages, is also used in English, and sometimes spelled

Fulah or Foulah. Fula and Fulani are commonly used in English, including within Africa. The

French borrowed the Wolof term Pël, which is variously spelled: Peul, Peulh, and even Peuhl.

More recently the Fulfulde / Pulaar term Fulɓe, which is a plural noun (singular, Pullo) has been

Anglicised as Fulbe,[2]

which some people use. In Portuguese, the terms Fula or Futafula are

used.

Related groups

Fula society in some parts of West Africa features the "caste" divisions typical of the region. In

Mali and Senegal for instance, those who are not ethnically Fula have been referred to as yimɓe

pulaaku (people of the Fula culture).[citation needed]

This caste system however, is not followed in

places like northern Nigeria or Cameroon, where in many cases the Fulani and Hausa have

intermixed and taken influences from each others cultures. (See Hausa-Fulani.) This

phenomenon is not seen outside the eastern subregion of West Africa, and in places like Mali or

Guinea, cultures between the Fulani and different groups are kept distinct.

One closely related group is the Tukolor (Toucouleur) in the central Senegal River valley, who

had a strong kingdom paying a negotiated tribute to the Fula. Large numbers of other Fula-

speakers live scattered in the region and have a lower status. They are descendants of Fula-

owned slaves. Now legally emancipated, in some regions they still pay tribute to Fula elites, and

they are often denied chances for upward social mobility.[3]

In-between groups are the Fula-

speaking fishermen and handcraftsmen. These groups are often collectively referred to (together

with Fulɓe of the region) as Haalpulaar (Fula: Haalpulaar'en, literally "Pulaar-speakers").

The Wodaabe (Fula: Woɗaaɓe), are a subgroup of the Fula people.

Traditional livelihood

The Fulani are traditionally a nomadic, pastoralist, trading people, herding cattle, goats and

sheep across the vast dry hinterlands of their domain, keeping somewhat separate from the local

agricultural populations.

History

Origins and spread

The people who are known to English speakers as Fulani refer to themselves as the Fulɓe (Pullo,

singular). In Nigeria, the Fulani are often categorized with the Hausa as a conglomerated ethnic

group Hausa-Fulani. Following the Fulani War, their histories in the region have been largely

intertwined. Outside Nigeria, the two groups are usually considered distinct.

In the 9th century they may have been involved in the formation of a state with its capital at

Takrur which is suggested to have had influx of Fulani migrating from the east and settling in

the Senegal valley[4][5]

although John Donnelly Fage suggests that Takrur was formed through

the interaction of Berbers from the Sahara and "Negro agricultural peoples" who were

"essentially Serer".[6]

Rise to political dominance

Main article: Fula jihads

Beginning as early as the 17th and 18th centuries, but mainly in the 19th century, Fulas and

others took control of various states in West Africa.

These included the Fulani Empire, also known as the Sokoto Caliphate, founded by Usman dan

Fodio (which itself included smaller states), Fouta Djallon, Massina and others.

Culture and language

The language of Fulas is called Pulaar or Fulfulde depending on the region, or variants thereof. It

is also the language of the Tukulor. It is a language closely related to Wolof and Serer. All

Senegalese who speak the language natively are known as the Halpulaar or Haalpulaar'en,

which stands for "speakers of Pulaar" ("hal" is the root of the Pulaar verb haalugol, meaning "to

speak"). In some areas, e.g. in northern Cameroon, Fulfulde is a local lingua franca.

With the exception of Guinea (where the Fula make up a ~40% plurality of the population),

Fulas are minorities in every country they live in (most countries of West Africa and parts of

Central and North Africa), so most also speak other languages of the countries they inhabit.

Clothing

The traditional dress of the Fula consists of long colourful flowing robes, modestly embroidered

or otherwise decorated. Also characteristic Fula tradition is that of women using henna and

indigo around the mouth, resulting in a blackening around the lips. Fula ethics are strictly

governed by the notion of pulaaku. Men wear long robes to the lower calves with trousers of

cotton. Herdsmen wear the distinctive conical straw hat and a turban. Women wear long robes

and turbans. They decorate themselves with necklaces, earrings, nose rings and anklets.[7]

Herding

Fula are primarily known to be pastoralists, but are also traders in some areas. Most Fula in the

countryside spend long times alone on foot, moving their herds; they were the only major

migrating people of West Africa, though most Fula now live in towns or villages. Wealth is

counted by how large the herd of cattle is and how many cattle. Long ago Fulani tribes used to

fight over cattle.

Music

The Fula have a rich musical culture and play a variety of traditional instruments including

drums, hoddu (a plucked skin-covered lute similar to a banjo) and riti or riiti (a one-string bowed

instrument similar to a violin), in addition to vocal music. The well known Senegalese Fula

popular musician Baaba Maal sings in Pulaar on his recordings. "Zaghareet" or ululation is a

popular form of vocal music formed by rapidly moving the tongue sideways and making a sharp,

high sound.

Food

The Fulani traditionally eat millet, milk and meat as staples. Millet is eaten in the morning, noon

and night as a porridge with a sauce or stew which usually contains tomatoes, peppers, bone,

meat, onion and water and other vegetables. On special occasions they sometimes eat meat such

as goat or beef. A thick beverage similar to the tuareg beverage eghajira is made by pounding

goat cheese, milk, dates and millet.

Houses

Traditionally, Fula live in domed houses during the dry season. The domed house is supported

by compact millet stalk pillars. During the wet season, the house is covered by reed mats.

However many Fula now live in mud or concrete block houses.

Notable Fulani people by country

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Nigeria

Usman dan Fodio, founder, Sokoto Caliphate

Nana Asma’u, scholar, author, and pioneer of women's education, Sokoto Caliphate

Umaru Yar'Adua, former President of Nigeria

Shehu Shagari, former President of Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari, former Nigerian Head of State

Ahmadu Bello, first Premier of Northern Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria

Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Nigerian politician, former vice president and the brother of former

Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, First Nigerian prime minister

Vice-Admiral Murtala Nyako, current Governor of Adamawa State,former Chief of Naval Staff

Ibrahim Gambari, Under Secretary-General/Special Adviser - Africa in the UN; former Minister of

Foreign Affairs.

Professor Jibril Aminu, pioneer cardiac surgeon, former minister of education and petroleum.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, central bank Governor of Nigeria

Aliko Dangote, Richest person of African descent.

Mohammed Shata, Former Internal Affairs Minister

Fatimah Tuggar Visual Artist

Senegal

Cheikh Umar Tall, General Khalif (1850–1865) of the Tijaniyya suufi way (tarikh) for West Africa

Maba Diakhou Ba Almamy of Rip

Malick Sy marabout

Mariama Bâ Senegalese author and feminist

Habib Thiam, former Prime minister of president Abdou Diouf

Daouda Sow, former head of the parliament

Baaba Maal, composer, singer, head of the band Daande Leñol

Omar Ibn Said, Scholar and former slave in America

Oumou Sy, fashion designer

Ibrahim Ba, French-Senegalese former football player

Mamadou Niang, football player

Issa Ba, football player

Macky Sall,president of Senegal,former Prime minister of president Abdoulaye Wade

Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké, Muslim Sufi religious leader in Senegal and the founder of the

large Mouride Brotherhood.

Guinea

Tierno Aliyyu Ɓuuɓa Ndiyan (1855–1927). Author, theologian, Tijaniyya suufi.

Saifoulaye Diallo (1923–1981), former Guinean politician, first president of the national

assembly (1958–1963) held various cabinet positions under the regime of Sekou Toure

Diallo Telli (or Boubacar Telli Diallo [1]), Lawyer, former Diplomat, First Sec. Gen. of the

Organization of African Unity, died of starvation at Camp Boiro in 1977.

Cellou Dalein Diallo, Prime Minister of Guinea from 2004–2007

Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori, Prince Among Slaves

Bobo Balde, football star

Katoucha, former haute couture model and anti-female circumcision activist

Abdoul Salam Sow, former footballer

Abdallah Bah, football star

Ibrahima Diallo, football star

Alpha Yaya Diallo, musician

Almamy Schuman Bah, football star

Amadou Diallo, young resident in the Bronx killed by police in 1999

Almamy Bocar Biro Barry Leader of Fouta Djallon and Resistance Fighter against French

occupation. [2]

El Hadj Habib Diallo Late Mano River Union Secretary General and Former Guinean Ambassador

to Canada, Liberia, United States of America and China, Former Minister of International

Cooperation, Energy & Hydraulics, Member of the CNT (National Transitional Council).

Alpha Yaya Diallo Leader of the State of Labe in the late 1800s Fouta Djallon.

Bailo Bah Flutte Master, Musician.

Karamoko Alfa First Almamy of Fouta Djallon and Father of the Alphaya Ruling family. Cousin of

Ibrahima Sory Mowdho.

Ibrahima Sory Mowdho Second Almamy of Fouta Djallon and Father of the Sorya ruling family.

Cousin of Karamoko Alfa.

Elhadj Umar Tall Almamy of Dinguiraye, Guinee. Fought against French Occupation. Helped

expand Islam in West Africa.

Amadou Oury Bah, Politician, Banker, Vice President of UFDG, Former Minister of National

Reconciliation, Solidarity & Relations with the Institutions.

Hadja Rabiatou Serah Diallo She is the Leader of the National Union in Guinea. Elle est une

syndicaliste guinéenne née en 1950. Elle est la première femme africaine à accéder à la direction

d’un syndicat national et organisé la grève générale en Guinée de 2007.

Thierno Saidou Diallo,usually known as Tierno Monénembo (born 1947), is a Francophone

Guinean novelist. Born in Guinea, he later lived in Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, and finally France

since 1973. He has written eight books in all and was awarded the 2008 prix Renaudot for The

King of Kahel (le Roi de Kahel).His most noted book is said to be Pelourinho, which was set in

Brazil. For the English-speaking world his significance was more for being one of the African

authors invited to Rwanda after the 1994 Tutsi-Hutu massacre to "write genocide into memory."

From this came the novel The Oldest Orphan; the 2004 translation by the University of Nebraska

may be his most successful book in the English language. In November 2010 the English

translation of le Roi de Kahel (The King of Kahel) was published by AmazonCrossing,

Amazon.com's translated fiction publishing arm, it was the new publishing companies first

translated and published book.

Mali

Amadou Hampâté Bâ, researcher and author

Seku Ahmadu, Founding King of Fula Kingdom of Macina, Mopti

Adame Ba Konaré, historian and spouse of the former president Alpha Oumar Konaré

Amadou Toumani Touré, Malian President

Mountaga Tall, lawyer and political figure founding president of CNID party and ex-vice

president of the National Assembly of Mali

Ousmane Sy, politician

Aly Nouhoum Diallo former speaker of Mali Parliement and former speaker of the ECOWAS

parliement

Sierra Leone

Amadu Wurie, early Sierra Leonean educationist and politician

Sir Banja Tejan-Sie, former Chief Justice, Governor General of Sierra Leone

Amadu Jalloh, Sierra Leonean politician

Alimamy Rassin, Sierra Leonean chief during colonial period

Minkailu Bah, Sierra Leone's minister of Education, Youth and Sports

Sulaiman Tejan-Jalloh, Sierra Leone ambassador to the United Kingdom

Alhaji Abdulai Timbo,former Chief Justice

Abubakarr Jalloh, Sierra Leone Minister of Mineral Resources

Alimamy Jalloh, Sierra Leonean football star

Mahmadu Alphajor Bah, Sierra Leonean football star

Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh,First female Chief Justice of Sierra Leone

Neneh Cherry, Swedish singer-songwriter and rapper of mixed Black African-European descent

Abass Bundu,former politician and diplomat

Chernor R.M.Bah, Chairperson, Legislative; Human Rights; Mineral Resources

Burkina Faso

Thomas Sankara, Former President of Burkina Faso

Youssouf Sambo Bâ, Burkinabé politician

Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara, Burkinabé politician

Cameroon

Modibo Adama, Fulani scholar and holy warrior

Ahmadou Ahidjo, first President of Cameroon

Issa Hayatou, current President African Football Confederation (CAF)

Bello Bouba Maigari, political leader, Minister of Transport

Sadou Hayatou, former prime minister and former General Manager of BEAC(Central African

Reserve Bank)Cameroon

Garga Haman Adji, former minister and political leader

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, current minister of comminucation and political leader

The Gambia

Hamat Bah, Politician, opposition Leader

Halifa Sallah, politician, writer