The Sarah Jane Ellis Memorial Page
The author lost her life to tropical disease whilst living with the Fulani people, October 2000

Fulani

the largest unreached nomadic pastoral
people group in the world

The Fulani or Fulbe as they call themselves (singular, Pullo) are the largest nomadic pastoral people group in the world. The French call them Peul and the Arabs, Fellah. Recent estimates put their number at being somewhere in the region of 20 million. They can be found in the Sahel region of Africa in 17 countries from Senegal in the West right up to Sudan in the north-eastern region. They are the single largest Gateway People Group in the world as classified by the Joshua Project 2000.

They are bound together by a common language, Fulfulde which is known as Pulaar in the region of Senegal, Gambia, and also certain areas of Mali and Guinea. In addition to this it is generally accepted that there are 11 dialects of which 7 are major. There are also some other groups that have intermarried with the Fulbe and so adopted the Fulfulde language.

The Fulbe are so large and scattered across Africa that their attitudes and sense of identity varies considerably from place to place, however their physical appearance, they are generally very slim, with much lighter skin than their black African neighbours, and very fine almost Caucasian features, combined with their pastoralism and their cultural concepts have helped them maintain their distinctiveness.

Some would say that the Fulbe are such a diverse group that there is nothing uniting them except the language, especially when we take into account the many different lineage’s or clans of which there are over 300. However there are three things that are central to the Fulbe ethnic identity and these are, firstly their cattle, who are the reason for their whole nomadic and pastoral existence, for the Pullo his reason for existence is for his cattle and what is so striking is that not only does each animal have a name, but the herdsman can at any time call any of the cattle from the herd by name and it will come to him. Young boys weaned at the age of two are put to sleep curled up next to one of the calves for safekeeping.

Second their religion, Islam (Broadly speaking the majority of Fulbe are Muslim with the notable exception of the Wodaabe and the Mbororo, and less than 0.01% of Fulbe are Christian) and thirdly their culture which is dominated by what they term " Pulaaku" . This has been described as the very essence of being a Pullo and along with mastery of the language and the oral traditions of storytelling and proverbs involves a complex set of rules of interaction within the Fulbe society. It puts high value on Semteende, modesty and reserve, Munyal , patience and fortitude and Haakilo, care and forethought. The biggest insult is to accuse a Pullo of lack of Pulaaku.

In these days the Fulbe culture is in crisis. Those least faithful to Pulaaku are those sedentary Fulbe who have abandoned all their traditions, even those who still keep cattle see them merely as an economic asset. Most sedentary Fulbe do not know their clan affiliation and many have married haabe (non-Fulbe). Most now follow Islam and although much of it is mixed with animistic practices some Fulbe will be sent to koranic schools. Those who have remained true to their traditions are often despised and ridiculed by their settled and semi-settled brothers. So what is the Church going to do? How is the Gospel going to reach the Fulbe and who are going to be the ones to take it? The Fulbe should be reached by those who love them and who God has called to do so. They can broadly fall into 3 categories.

1. Fulbe Christians

At this time there are not more than a thousand Fulbe Christians out of nearly 20 million and the number of those baptised is probably in the region of 500. The first responsibility has to be to those Fulbe who have already come to the Lord. Some are doing this and need every help and encouragement, but the number is small. Fulbe Christians face much hardship and persecution not least from their own people and even their own families and many become dependant on missionaries for even their daily food.

There are very few materials in the Fulfulde language, and most dialects have only a few portions of Scripture which have been translated. For those that the Lord is raising up as priests and Levites to reach their own people they face the daunting prospect of having to train as pastors and evangelists in a language that is not their own and as many can not read or write it becomes a major obstacle. This goes against everything that Pulaaku represents as the Fulbe will not listen to the haabe language. If Christians truly seek to present the Gospel in a way that is culturally appropriate, this situation needs to change.

2. African Christians of other tribes.

African Christians have a key role to play. God has placed them geographically near to the Fulbe and yet they have a particularly delicate position because of several factors. Years of animosity have built up between the Fulbe and other tribes not least because of cattle which have trespassed into fields and ruined crops. Also the Fulbe expect more of them because being African they are expected to know Fulbe customs also very few non-Fulbe have a working knowledge of Fulfulde. Islam can be a dividing factor , the Christian should know basic Muslim doctrine and practice.

3. Christians from outside Africa.

Many churches in Africa are growing at a rapid rate and require help from outside to keep up with demands for training and outreach. This does not excuse them from their responsibilities but it does mean that resources are limited. Some from outside Africa may be able to bring much needed skills. Obviously they also will need to acquire a thorough knowledge of the language and culture.

The Fulbe say, "Only he who eats what you have eaten knows what is inside you" and although they will welcome people on the surface as one of their great traits is hospitality it can take many years before they will open their hearts, and they will quickly detect dis-honesty or lack of sincerity. It is completely unrealistic to view mission to the Fulbe as something that can be done in a two or three year slot. Really it requires many years, if not a one way ticket.

How then can we pray for these people?

Pray against the spirit of Islam which has kept many of the Fulbe bound in spiritual darkness for generations

Ask the Lord for dreams and visions to be given to the Fulbe that they would seek out the missionaries for clarification.

Cry out for the Wind of the Holy Spirit to blow across Africa softening hearts in preparation to receive the Good News of Jesus.

Consider meeting with one or two others each week to intercede for the Fulbe. Perhaps you could consider missing lunch to pray for them.

Pray for God’s wisdom anointing and favour on those who are already out on the field.

Pray that God will protect and strengthen the new believers and help them to grow despite persecution.

Pray for boldness for the new converts and for them to receive a vision to take Christ to their own people.

Pray for the African church to really catch the burden for Fulbe souls and that they would reach out in a contextually appropriate way.

Pray for reconciliation between the Fulbe and other tribal groups.

For the Lord to raise up workers, for the harvest is plentiful.

Pray for yourself and ask the Lord what your role is in reaching the Fulbe.

Bring my sons from afar. And my daughters from the ends of the earth.
Everyone who is called by my Name. Is 43. 6-7

"They will come on camels…and I will select some of them to be priests and Levites",
says the Lord. Is.66 verses 19-21.

"The desert tribes will bow before Him." Ps.72 v9.

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