The diverse Fulani people are scattered all around the West African Savannnah 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. The area most densely populated by Fulani is the British Cameroons and Nigeria, with a total population of 3,630,000. This culture is sub-categorized by different use of the Fulani Language, and also by their means of economic gain. Some Fulani use vocabulary others don’t which results in a language that is both diverse and constantly changing.
The differences in the Fulani mode of life are very noticeable. Some Fulani are part of stable farming communities, others are part of urban areas, while others, such as the Pastoral Fulani are cattle herders. . The Origin of the Fulani culture is a controversial issue. The question of when they migrated to Western Sudan, and how long ago remains a mystery. Some experts say they have a Jewish origin, and some counter with and Ethiopian argument. Others seek a compromise in between, and some say they were Hindu people. The Fulani culture has their own story, with a couple of variations. One involves the son of two Muslims who could understand a new (Fulani) language who was the foretold founder of the culture. Another version of that story includes the child teaching the language to his brothers who formed the four great branches of the Fulani people. The Pastoral Fulani culture myth is about a herder who is expelled from the settlement because of his harsh way of life. His wealth came from a water spirit who sent him cattle.
Pastoral Fulani are most often found on the parts of the Savannah belt where population is scarce. This limits them to the northern desert areas or to highland areas. Seasonal movement is a standard characteristic of residents of the desert areas to avoid water shortages. Those living in highland areas are somewhat more stable. Geology is one of three reasons the Pastoral Fulani are a mobile culture. Their migration also avoids disease and gives them a variety of markets to chose from. Their economic security is derived mostly from raising cattle although they also raise sheep, camel, and goats. The culture trades or sells their surplus cattle products in agricultural villages. The physical characteristics of the Fulani population are mixed variations of Negroid and Non-Negroid traits.
A typical household involves a herd-owner, his wife or wives and multiple children. The head owns the herd, while his wife(s) milks the cows and prepares it for sale. The sons assist the father as his herdsman, and the daughters assist the mother in packaging. Pastoral Fulani only eat meat on special occasions that involve ceremonies and rituals. Their dwellings are naturally small and transportable, and their physical belongings are small in number. The actual cattle they raise are religiously regarded and are only sold when money is needed. This stems from various taxes, fines, or the need for consumer goods. Although the Pastoral Fulani try to distance themselves from society, they do involve themselves when they are trading or when they are paying taxes or fines for grazing on someone else’s property.
The Islamic Religion of these people also ties them to civilization. To every tribe of Pastoral Fulani there is a holy man, who lives on the fees gathered from performing their special tasks. Some of the Muslim holymen also specialize in other trades, such as blacksmith, but some are merely magicians. They also teach religious traditions and head name-givings, weddings and funerals. In one small part of Western Sudan, the Pastoral Fulani Tribe the Wodhaabhe resides, not totally separated from society. They have migrated to Sudan and have felt the pressures of settling. Some do, and some migrate. Some own farms, and some live in urban areas where their same people live together in large congregations. All of the Wodhaabhe barter with non-Fulani speaking communities, and they have also all been converted to Islam by holy men. The Wodhaabhe believe in Mecca, and heroes in their eyes are men who won wars, had horses, and owned slaves. This proves their involvement with society, even though it is not fully engaged. They involve themselves with civilization only when it benefits them most, such as for protection and sometimes political gain. Their involvement does not stretch into western technology though. The tools of the Wodhaabhe are still very simple, and their dwellings are very portable.
In conclusion, the Wodhaabhe Culture, is categorized as Pastoral Fulani in the Fulani Culture of Africa. They are a society changing through Islamic Religion, and contact with trading villages. These changes are not as rapid as the ones other African Cultures are experiencing, because of the western influence the Fulani do not encounter. The withdrawal from the wide social system has benefited the Wodhaabhe in both the size of their herds, and the structure of their family and culture.
Works Cited:
“Web Pulaaku.” Savannah Nomads, The Wodhabbe Pastoral Fulani of Western
Bomu, N. Nigeria. www.pulaaku.net 3-26-2000.
“Brunnel’s Geology.” A Study of Pastoral Fulani.
www.brunnel.ac.uk/depts/geo/modules/hand.html 3-26-00.
Written by: Melissa Youn
