Fulani
Fula women in the East Province of Cameroon.
Total population	10 to 13 million (2006)[1]
Regions with significant populations	Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Niger, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Chad, Sierra Leone, Mauritania and Sudan.
Language	Fula
Religion	Sunni Islam

The Fula is an ethnic group of people spread over many countries in West Africa, from Mauritania in the northwest to Cameroon in the east. In Nigeria and other countries, as well as in literature, they are usually called Fulani. They refer to themselves as Fulbhe (singular pullo). There are also many other ways others refer to them, including Foulah, Fulfulde, Peulh, Peul, and Fulbe. A closely related group is the Tukolor (Toucouleur) in the central Senegal River valley. Fulbe women in the East Province of Cameroon. ... The East Province (French Province de lEst) occupies the southeastern portion of the Republic of Cameroon. ... Motto: (Portuguese for Unity, Struggle, Progress) Anthem: Capital Bissau 1 Largest city Official language(s) Portuguese Government President Prime Minister Republic João Bernardo Vieira Aristides Gomes Independence from Portugal  - Declared September 24, 1973  - Recognised September 10, 1974 Area  - Total    - Water (%)   36,120 km² (133rd) 13,946 sq mi  22. ... The Fula language is a language of West Africa, spoken by the Fula people from Senegal to Cameroon and Sudan. ... Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... The Toucouleurs (or Haalpulaaren) are an ethnicity of West Africa. ... The Senegal River, in West Africa, forms the border between Senegal and Mauritania. ...

They speak the Pulaar language, also referred to as Fulfulde, or variants thereof, as do the Tukulor; all local people who speak that language natively are known as the "halpulaar", which literally means "speakers of Pulaar". "Hal" is derived from the Pulaar verb "halugol", meaning "to speak". The traditional dress of the Fula in most places is long colorful flowing robes, modestly embroidered or otherwise decorated. Most Fula in the countryside spend long times alone on foot, moving their herds. They are the only major migrating people of West Africa, though most Fula now live in towns or villages. The Fula language is a language of West Africa, spoken by the Fula people from Senegal to Cameroon and Sudan. ... The Toucouleurs (or Haalpulaaren) are an ethnicity of West Africa. ...

History

Fulah Girl circa 1914

The Fulani are traditionally a nomadic, pastoral community, herding cattle, goats and sheep across the vast dry hinterlands of their domain, keeping somewhat separate from the local agricultural populations. During the 16th century the Fula expanded through the sahel grasslands stretching from what is today Senegal to Sudan. Fulani strength was centered on powerful cavalry that could quickly move across the large empire and defeat rivals. This meant the Fulani could not expand southwards, however, as the horses could not withstand the diseases of those latitudes. Communities of nomadic people move from place to place, rather than settling down in one location. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage, kine archaic, or kye as the Scots plural of cou) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Species See Species and subspecies The goat is a mammal in the genus Capra, which consists of nine species: the Ibex, the West Caucasian Tur, the East Caucasian Tur, the Markhor, and the Wild Goat. ... Species See text. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The location of Sahel in Africa The Sahel (from Arabic ساحل, sahil, shore, border or coast of the Sahara desert) is the boundary zone in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the more fertile region to the south, known as the Sudan (not to be confused with the country... Kircholm, a 1925 painting by Wojciech Kossak. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A disease is an abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. ...

During the 19th century under Usman dan Fodio the Fulani became the leaders of a centralized Fulani Empire. This empire continued until 1903 when the Fulani were divided up among European colonizers. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shaihu Usman dan Fodio (also referred to as Shaikh Usman Ibn Fodio; alternative spelling, Shehu), 1754-1817 was a writer and Islamic reformer. ... The Fulani Empire was one of the most powerful states in sub-Saharan Africa in the years prior to European colonization. ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... See colony and colonisation for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism. ...

In the west, the Fouta Djallon located mainly in present day Guinea as well as parts of Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone was a major state with a written constitution and ruling alternance between the 2 main parties: the Soriya and the Alphaya. The Fouta Djallon state was born in 1735 when Fulani Muslims decided to rise against the non-Muslim Fulanis and Djalounkes rulers to create a confederation of provinces. Alpha Ibrahima Sory Maoudho was elected as the first Almaamy in 1735 at the capital Timbo in present day Guinea. The Fouta Djallon state lasted until 1898 when the French colonial troops defeated the last Almamy (Ruler) Bokar Biro Barry, dismantled the state and integrated it into their new colony of Rivières du Sud, which became Guinea. Fouta Djallon is a highland region in Guinea, West Africa. ... Motto: (Portuguese for Unity, Struggle, Progress) Anthem: Capital Bissau 1 Largest city Official language(s) Portuguese Government President Prime Minister Republic João Bernardo Vieira Aristides Gomes Independence from Portugal  - Declared September 24, 1973  - Recognised September 10, 1974 Area  - Total    - Water (%)   36,120 km² (133rd) 13,946 sq mi  22. ... Events April 16 - The London premiere of Alcina by George Frideric Handel, his first the first Italian opera for the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Fulbe jihad states

A jihad state is a territory that was established by political and religious Muslim leaders who conquer a region by offensive war, invoking Jihad or holy war in accordance with Koranic injuctions. Fittingly, the rulers often assume the honorific title of Emir, an Arabic title which can mean general as well as prince or governor, or a derivate in a local langage. Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ...

In particular, the term is historically used in reference to the 19th century Islamic conquests in Western Africa, especially the Fulbe jihad, a phrase referring to the state-founding jihad led by `Usuman dan Fodio in the first decade of the 19th century in and around Nigeria. Most of these states were in colonial times brought into the British Northern Nigeria Protectorate around 1901-1903.

• Abuja, replacing the former Zuba; the ruler's title was Sarkin Zazzau, from 1828 also Emir
• Adamawa (now partially in Cameroon), founded in 1809; title Baban-Lamido
• Agaie, founded in 1822; title emir
• Bauchi emirate, founded in 1805; title lamido, a corruption of emir
• Gombe, founded in 1804; title Modibo Gombe.
• Gwandu, a major Fulbe jihad state, founded in 1817; title Emir
• Hadejia, replaces Biram (title Sarkin Biram) in 1805; new title Sarkin Hadejia, from 1808 also styled Emir
• Jama`are, founded in 1811; style Emir.
• Jema`an Darroro, founded in 1810; title Emir
• Kano replaces the old (Hausa) Kano state in March 1807; the old title Sarkin Kano is still used, but now also styled Emir
• Katagum, founded in 1807; title Sarkin Katagum, also styled Emir
• Katsina replaces the old (Hausa) Katsina state in 1805; the old title Sarkin Katsina is stull used, but now also styled Emir.
• Kazaure, founded in 1818; title Emir, also styled Sarkin *Arewa (apparently imitating neighbours)
• Keffi, founded in 1802; title Emir
• Lafiagi, founded in 1824; new title Emir
• Lapai, founded in 1825; style Emir
• Mubi, founded in 18..; title Emir
• Muri, founded in 1817, style Emir; 1892-1893 de facto French protectorate, 1901 part of Northern Nigerian British protectorate
• Sokoto, the center of the Fulbe jihad, established on 21 February 1804 by ..., title Amir al-Mu´minin, also styled Lamido Julbe; on 20 April 1817 Sokoto is styled sultanate (title sultan, also styled Amir al-Mu´minin and Sarkin Musulmi), the suzerain of all Fulbe jihad states; in 1903 the British occupy Sokoto Sultanate
• Zaria, superseded the old Zazzau state (title Sarkin Zazzau) on 31 December 1808; new style first Malam, since October/November 1835 Emir, also styled Sarkin Zaria and Sarkin Zazzau

Abuja, estimated population 2,5 Mil. ... Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ... Adamawa may refer to several geographical or political areas: The Adamawa Emirate, founded by Modibo Adama; The Adamawa Plateau, which rises in Nigeria, cuts across Central African Republic; The Adamawa Province of Cameroon; The Adamawa State of Nigeria This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages... Bauchi is the capital of Bauchi State in Nigeria. ... Gombe can refer to Gombe State, Nigeria Gombe town, the calital of Gombe State, Nigeria. ... Gwandu, also called Gando, is a town and emirate in Kebbi, Nigeria. ... Hadejia is a town in Jigawa, Nigeria. ... For other uses of the word Kano see Kano (disambiguation). ... The Hausa are a people of northern Nigeria and south-eastern Niger. ... Katagum is a town and traditional emirate of about 4,740 (1972 est. ... Katsina is an old city of Northern Nigeria 160 miles South East of the city of Sokoto, and 84 m. ... LAPA (Lineas Aereas Privadas de Argentina), was an Argentine airline. ... Muri is a town and traditional emirate in the northwestern Taraba State of eastern Nigeria, approximately between 9 and 11 40 E. and 7 10 and 9 40 N. The Benue River is nearby, and the portion on the southern bank of the river is watered by streams flowing from... Sokoto (which is the modern/anglicised version of the local name, Sakkwato; also known as Sakkwato, Birnin Shaihu da Bello or Sokoto, Capital of Shaihu and Bello) is a city located in the Northwestern region of Nigeria, and is the modern day capital of Sokoto State (and its predecessor, the... The Sultan in Disneys Aladdin A Sultan (Arabic: سلطان) is an Islamic title, with several historical meanings. ... Zaria or Zoria is the Slavic goddess of beauty, very popular in Eastern Slavic mythology. ...

Culture

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 popular musician Baaba Maal is Fula, and he sings in Pulaar on his recordings. Xalam, also spelled khalam, is the Wolof name for a traditional stringed musical instrument from West Africa. ... Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. ...

Notes

1. ^ Ndukwe 16 (1996) gives a figure of 10 million; Gordon, "Adamawa Fulfulde", says 13 million speakers of all forms of Fulfulde.

References

• Almanach de Bruxelles (now a paying site)
• Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.) (2005): "Adamawa Fulfulde". Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 15th ed. Dallas: SIL International. Accessed 25 June 2006.
• Ndukwe, Pat I., Ph.D. (1996). Fulani. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
• WorldStatesmen - here Nigerian Traditional states