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.
المصدر:
http://www.jamtan.com/jamtan/fulani.cfm?chap=1
Laawol Fulbe 