The Fulani: A Summary

The Fulani are a nomadic, pastoral group found throughout the sub-Saharan region of West Africa. I think one of the most interesting things about them is their sense of identity which they call pulaaku. This sense of "Fulani-ness" describes the character, behavior, moral standards, etiquette, and lifestyle of the Fulani. Violating pulaaku results in a deep sense of shame within the individual as well as from the community.

The Fulani are 100% Muslim. Their history is intricately tied with the spread and establishment of Islam throughout West Africa. The paper I wrote caused me to reflect on the difficulties of reaching a culture where the culture and religion are so inextricably intertwined that they are inseparable. To ask someone to convert is to ask them to leave everything and everyONE they have ever known. For the Fulani it is even more than leaving everything around them. It creates and identity crisis, too, because their understanding of who they are as a Fulani IS pulaaku, part of which includes their religion.

Another thing that could be difficult for western missionaries that work among the Fulani is the need for emotional control. The Fulani find any display of emotion disrespectful, and we in the west simply are not taught that kind of control.

One of the primary ways to establish relationships with them is to care for their cattle. The cattle are the most prized possession in a Fulani's life. Ann Croft, an English teacher who worked among the Fulani in Nigeria, had cared for their people for quite some time, but she was found to "truly" love the people when she started providing medicine for their cattle. So going to them with some sort of working knowledge of cattle and herding would be beneficial.

It is also essential that more material becomes available in the Fulfulde language. This, too, is part of their "Fulani-ness," and being able to learn about Christ within the constructs of their culture is an important part of reaching them with the gospel.