Fulani Community

14.02.2025

Fulani Community

Why in the news?                        

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).

About Fulani Community:

• 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 Niger But can also be found in several other countries.
• Language: 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.

Social structure of Fulani Community:

• 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.

                                                                Source: Down to earth

Fulani Community, recently in news, is mainly found in:

A.South Asia Region

B.African Sahel Region

C.Arctic Region

D.Central Asia region

Answer B