They are everywhere and they consider themselves to be the most beautiful people on earth. They've been around for thousands of years. And will surely be for more aeons to come. Masters of the Cattle Herd. Legends of the Sahel. Perennial Nomads. Vicious Warriors. Courageous Fighters. Very beautiful and an extremely charming people. They are the Fulanis, the most influential tribe in Africa.

In Nigeria, where there is the largest Fulani community on earth, Fulanis mean different things to different people. For some, Fulanis are just a band of radio-carrying nomads chasing cows all year round with popas and sleeping in the bush full of insects while for some others, Fulanis are power-grabbing aristocrats who control all the events behind the scene while others will swear with heaven and earth that there is no more beautiful tribe in the Milky Way. Well, the truth is that one single description or definition does not do justice to the Fulanis who are one of Africa's most colourful and flamboyant tribes.

The Fulani world is one of startling contrasts: while a Fulani man is the richest black on earth, many Fulanis are employed as housemaids at homes across the country. (This housegirl of a thing as far as I am concerned, is an evil practice which must be stopped. Yes, we once had Fulani maids in our house too but I am still strongly against it. The last one we had about a decade or so ago, I was very instrumental to ensuring she was the last. We treated them well, yes, but it is still not an ideal practice).

Over time, due to shortsighted and myopic generalizations of tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria (which is a very common but nauseating practice), many of us have conveniently either overlooked or ignored the amazing aspects of Fulanis and their culture (some Nigerians even think Hausas and Fulanis are the same. But the truth is that Nigeria has had just ONE Hausa leader, and that was Murtala Muhammed, read all about him here http://.com/murtala-muhammed-nigerias-most-popular-leader/ . While this is not to say that Fulanis do not have their own shortcomings (remember the constant bloody clashes in Plateau and Oyo States with farmers on whose land they graze their cattle and all sorts of internecine fights), this writer still thinks the tribe deserves a second look, or maybe, just a little more light on one of Nigeria's most under-estimated but extremely influential ethnicities. By the way, did you know Thomas Sankara also had Fulani blood? Let's check out a list of prominent Fulanis first:

ALTERNATIVE NAMES & LANGUAGE

Fulanis refer to themselves as Fulbe and their language is Fulfulde (also called Pulaar or Pular). In some states of Nigeria like Kwara, local news is broadcast on radio and TV in Fulfulde. In Nigeria, we know them primarily as Fulanis but they are also referred to as Fula people, Peul (French), Fulaw (Bambara), Fulan (Portuguese), Pel (Wolof) and Fulan (Hausa).

Fulfulde is an interesting language and has some amazing features. For instance, men and women belong to the same noun class and they are both described with the same pronouns unlike English where 'he' and 'she' are used. In Senegal, Fulfulde is an official language and an official regional language in Guinea. In Mali, where it is called Maasina, it is the national language, same with Niger Republic (national language status). Writing Fulfulde is done in the Arabic Script or the Ajami or Ajamiyya Script in which Arabic alphabets are used in writing African languages.

WHAT OF THE BOROROS?
The Bororos (meaning herdsmen in tatters) (called Wodaabe in Fula) are actually a small subgroup of the Fulanis. Bororos consider themselves the most beautiful on this earth. Mainly cattle rearers, they are found primarily in northern Nigeria, southern Niger, northeastern Cameroon and parts of the Central African Republic (CAR). The Bororos (Wodaabe) speak the Fula tongue too but do not have a writing system. In Fula, the word 'woda' means 'taboo' and Wodaabe is translated to mean 'People of the Taboo' or 'Those Who Respect Taboos'. This is owing to the fact that Wodaabe or Bororos stick to the ancient traditions, unlike some other groups of Fulanis. Fulanis are broadly divided into two: Cattle Fulanis and Town Fulanis. Bororos belong to the first group while the others who have integrated into the larger mainstream society are referred to as the Town Fulanis. In some other Fulani subgroups, like in Guinea, there is actually a caste group. Bororos keep herds of long-horned Zebu cattle and graze all year round across various states and regions, occassionally clashing with gbesefied farmers along the way, whose crops have either been eaten or destroyed by thousands of cattle hooves. E no funny o!

Bororos move around with their wives, children and other relatives. They carry few possessions and these include wooden beds, calabashes and atimes, weapons for protection or cutting meat. Bororo women carry beautiful and richly-decorated calabashes as status symbols, and are often passed down to their daughters. These highly-treasured calabashes are also known to cause fights and instigate rivalry among the women. Bororos live mainly on a diet consisting milk, yoghurt or ground cereals/millet gruel (fura de nono), very rarely do they feed on meat (when they do, they consume goats), and cattle is a measure of wealth.

Some interesting cultural practices among the Bororos is that parents are not permitted to talk directly to their two first born children, who are usually adopted and raised by their grandparents. Husbands and wives are also not expected to hold hands or communicate in a personal tone in the public. Modesty (or semteende is of great importance in Fulani culture. One thing that I have noticed among the Bororos is that they are usually slim and I have NEVER set my eyes on a fat or obese Bororo. Well, you can work out the maths yourself.

THE GEREWOL FESTIVAL
This is a celebration of love and beauty and it is also an event in which males display their make-up and try their best to win the hearts of the maidens with their richly-coloured faces, white eyes and teeth (yes, those are major parameters). The festivities last for as long as 10 days during which the men compete against each other in a beauty contest while the young ladies get to choose. The man has the power to refuse but this authority is rarely exercised.

Some men use a whole day to make up using natural colours. However, there is a dangerous practice by some of the men who make use of the black and highly toxic lead inside old batteries as eye liners, eye shadow or even lipstick. If you want to see how a Bororo man is toasting babes in the traditional way, just watch below, skip to 19:00, 35:00 and enjoy:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlnO1QDqpaQ

To be selected by one of the ladies during the Gerewol Festival is considered an extraordinary honour. To ensure that there is justice during the competition, all men are required to use the same type of make-up kit so as not to gain an unfair advantage over others.

SHARO, GETTING FLOGGED FOR A WIFE
Among some of the Fula people (like the Jawul Fulani), there is an interesting ceremony referred to as the Sharo or Shadi which means the 'flogging meeting'. During this event, which is a test of bravery, young men are publicly lined up and properly flogged all in a bid to show that they are man enough to pick a girl for marriage. Olohun mama je kin waye pankere, ewo ni tegba? LOL! It is usually organized twice in a year and that is during the dry season when cereals are harvested and during Sallah (or Id-el-Kabir Muslim festival). The Sharo is a test of endurance (you fit chop Soja koboko for your babe? LOL!) Atimes, it is also organized to honour an elder of the clan, during a naming ceremony or just for fun (see pictures).

LOCATION
Fulanis are found in various numbers in the following nations:
1. Nigeria
2. Ghana
3. Senegal:
4. Guinea
5. Mauritania
6. The Gambia
7. Mali
8. Sierra Leone
9. Benin
10. Burkina Faso
11. Guinea Bissau
12. Cameroon
13. Cote d'Ivoire
14. Niger
15. Chad
16. Togo
17. Central African Republic
18. Liberia
19. Egypt
20. Sudan
21. Eritrea
22. Gabon

In many of these countries, they are in the minority but can be as high as 40% in places like Guinea. In Nigeria, Fulanis are estimated to be 10% of the population, and about the same percentage in neighboring Niger Republic.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS
Fulanis are overwhelmingly followers of the Islamic faith and of all the ethnic groups in West Africa, they were the first to convert to Islam through jihads (holy wars). Over time, they were able to consolidate spiritual, economic and political control over large swathes of the West African territory. For instance, all of Nigeria's Muslims have the Sultan of Sokoto and a descendant of the Fulani warrior and scholar, Usman Dan Fodio as the Amirul Mumineen (Head of the Believers or Commander of the Faithful) and Spiritual Leader. Among subgroups like the Bororos, there are some followers of traditional religions and among the Town Fulanis, there are some who follow other faiths like Christianity but the number is tiny indeed.

-CHALLENGES FACING THE FULANIS
These are the same challenges facing everyone in Africa, mainly poverty, illiteracy and diseases. The nomadic nature of some of the Fulanis even complicate matters and government interventions seem grossly inadequate in addressing the problem.

PROMINENT FULANIS

Fulanis have risen to the peak in different facets of life. Here are some of the most prominent Fulanis:

AHMADU BELLO, First Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto.
Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, 20th Sultan of Sokoto.
Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdullahi Bayero, Emir of Kano, Kano State. His Golden Jubilee Celebrations will be coming up in the middle of June 2013 and there are plans already in place for the great event.
Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, Lamido of Adamawa.
Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu Gambari, 11th Emir of Ilorin, Kwara State
UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2007-2010
ALIKO DANGOTE, World's richest black (read about him here: http://.com/aliko-mohammed-dangote-worlds-richest-black/ )
JUBRIL AMINU, professor, cardiac surgeon, former minister of education and petroleum.
SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria
SHEHU USMAN ALIYU SHAGARI, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979-1983
DAHIRU MUSDAPHER, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
AMADOU TOUMANI TOURE (ATT), President, Mali, 2002-2012
TANDJA MAHAMADOU, President, Niger Republic, 2000-2009
MUHAMMADU BUHARI, Military Head of State, Nigeria, 1983-1985
SHEEFU AMADOU, Transitional President, Niger Republic
MANUEL SERIFO NHAMADJO, Acting President of Guinea Bissau, incumbent.
USMAN DAN FODIO, Founder, Sokoto Caliphate, Nigeria. The Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto (UDUS) was named for him.
MODIBO ADAMA, scholar and warrior, Adamawa State of Nigeria is named for him.
ISA HAYATOU, Cameroon, President, African Football Confederation (CAF).
AHMADOU AHIDJO, first President of Cameroon.
UMM HAWA TEJAN JALLOH, first female Chief Justice of Sierra Leone.
ATIKU ABUBAKAR, Vice President, Nigeria, 1999-2007
MACKY SALL, former Prime Minister and current President, Senegal.
ABDOULAYE SEKOU SOW, Prime Minister of Mali, 1993-1994.
NANA ASMA'U, Usman Dan Fodio's daughter, poet and teacher. Widely revered across Northern Nigeria.
HAMA AMADU, Prime Minister, Niger Republic, 1995-1996, 2000-2007
SHEHU MUSA YAR'ADUA, Nigerian politician, soldier and former deputy head of state and brother to late President Yar'adua.
MURTALA NYAKO, Nigeria, former Chief of Naval Staff, GCON, CFR, former military governor of Niger State and current Governor of Adamawa State.
IBRAHIM AGBOOLA GAMBARI, CFR, Nigerian diplomat and scholar, Pro-Chancellor, Kwara State University (KWASU), former Minister for External Affairs and currently Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
MOHAMMED SHATA, Nigerian politician and former minister of national planning and internal affairs (1999-2003).
BAABA MAAL, singer and guitarist, Senegal's most famous musician after Youssou N'dour, he sings in his native Fulani language (Pulaar or Fulfulde).
ADAME BA KONARE, historian and former First Lady of Mali.
HABIB KOITE, Malian musician.
ALPHA YAYA DIALLO, Canada based Guinean singer and guitarist.
OUMOU SY, fashion designer, referred to as 'Senegal's Queen of Couture'.
FATIMAH TUGGAR, US-based Nigerian visual artist.
MARIAMA BA, Senegal, author and feminist.
DAOUDA SOW, Senegal, former Head of Parliament.
ABDOU MOMOUNI, educator and intellectual, the Abdou Moumoni University, Niamey, the only public one in Niger Republic was named after him.
BOUBACAR DIALLO TELLI, Guinean diplomat, politicians, one of the founders the the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and was its first Secretary-General. He was executed by starvation in 1977 after he was accused of leading a plot by Fulanis against the state of Guinea.
KATOUCHE NIANE, The Peul Princess (from Guinea) French model
CELLOU DALEIN DIALLO, Guinea, Prime Minister, 2004-2006
SAIFOULAYE DIALLO, foremost Guinean politician and lawmaker, d.1981
DEMBA BA, Senegal, footballer.
IBRAHIM 'IBOU' BA, Senegalese-born French footballer.
MAMADOU NIANG, Senegalese footballer.
ISSA BA, Senegalese footballer.
TIDJANE THIAM, Ivorian former politician and businessman and first black person to head an FTSE 100 company.
OMAR SY, French actor with Senegalese roots.
ABDOUL SALAM SOW, Guinean footballer.
IBRAHIMA DIALLO, Guinean footballer.
BOBO BALDE, Guinean footballer.

…..and many more....While writing this, just one thought kept spinning in my head. What if all Fula people banded together and formed a Great Fulani Republic? Well, it's just a thought.

Thanks for your time.
. #EnjoyingFuraDeNono!

CHECK OUT MORE DAZZLING PICTURES HERE>>>http://.com/fulanis-africas-most-influential-tribe/

why do people always like pinning the light skin tag on fulanis?

Interesting, fascinating, educating, indeed!

a Great Fulani Republic?

they should.

And the only problem of africa

Problem?

okosodo: And the only problem of africa

Thanks a lot for your time! I'm glad you enjoyed it

Fifty-Fifty:
Interesting, fascinating, educating, indeed!

Sis, the title of your thread is misleading.

The Fulani's aren't African's most influential tribe; the most nomadic tribe is more like it.

Calling a tribe that became prominent in just one country in Africa(Nigeria) by virtue of a foreign ideology(Jihad) that's very un-African, is disrespectful to all the great tribes of achievers, scattered across the continent. The Fulani's never built any civilisation on the continent.

Btw, interesting read.

Until you mention a tribe that's more influential na. And the Fulanis are not just prominent in Nigeria alone, I made that abundantly clear in the write-up.

shymexx: Sis, the title of your thread is misleading.

The Fulani's aren't African's most influential tribe; the most nomadic tribe is more like it.

Call a tribe that became prominent in just one country in Africa(Nigeria) by virtue of a foreign ideology(Jihad) that's very un-African, is disrespectful to all the great tribes of achievers, scattered across the continent. The Fulani's never built any civilisation on the continent.

Btw, interesting read.

Abiyamọ: Until you mention a tribe that's more influential na. And the Fulanis are not just prominent in Nigeria alone, I made that abundantly clear in the write-up.

All the tribes listed below are more influential than the Fulani's and they contributed a lot to African history:

Tuareg, Maasai, Nubians, Bini's, Yoruba's, Oromo, Amhara, Shona, Shona, Zulu, Mande, ethnic Somalis, Mandika, Akan, Hausa, Kanuri, Dahomey, Bakongo, Igbo's, Bandundu etc..

I ask again: what did the Fulani's contributed to African history apart from Jihad to make them the most influential? Fulani's are inconsequential outside Nigeria.

Tuaregs, just a little over one million. And are limited to small portions in Libya, Tunisia and Algeria.
Maasai: Who knows them outside Kenya and some parts of Tanzania? Well-known and good for tourist heritage but influential? I doubt that very much.
Nubians: Yes, quite prominent but restricted to Sudan and Egypt. I am not doubting their contributions but impact surely not as widespread as the Fulanis.
Binis: Yeah, very influential in Edo State.
Oromos: Another great ethnic group but limited to Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya mainly.
Amharas: Still restricted to Ethiopia.
Shona: Apart from Zimbabwe and parts of Mozambique, Shonas are not that prominent.
Zulu: We all know that this great people are restricted mainly to ONE province in South Africa, KwaZulu Natal. Wonderful people but you will still not compare their influence with the political and economic authority wielded by the Fulanis.
Mande: A good rival.
Ethnic Somalis: The name says it all.
Mandinka: Still part of Mande. You've mentioned that before.
Akan: Ghana and Ivory Coast, that's all.
Hausa: Yes, the closest rival but were they not defeated by the Fulanis?
Kanuri: Mba. Just compare the status today in Nigeria between the Sultan of Sokoto and the Shehu of Borno. The difference is clear.
Dahomey: Stop joor...lol!
Bakongo: Hmmm, yeah but still not very much known outside DRC and some parts of Angola.
Igbos: Yes, wonderful people but still restricted to a part of Nigeria.
Bandundu: That's a tiny tribe in one province of the DRC.

No doubt, you have listed out great tribes and ethnic groups but my basis for classifying Fulanis as the most influential is not hinged upon the fact that I want to get married to one of them...lol! It is strictly based on the degree and level of political, religious, social and economic influence that they wield. (How they got that influence is another topic entirely.) That necessitated listing out some of the most prominent Fulanis. Of all the tribes you have listed out, very few, if any, have risen to become the leaders of their nations, not to talk of other countries in the surrounding regions. Another factor that is considered is the sheer distribution (geographical spread) in about 22 countries out of about 57 or so nations in Africa. That is close to half of the continent. I rest my case.

shymexx:

All the tribes listed below are more influential than the Fulani's and the contributed a lot to African history:

Tuareg, Maasai, Nubians, Bini's, Yoruba's, Oromo, Amhara, Shona, Shona, Zulu, Mande, ethnic Somalis, Mandika, Akan, Hausa, Kanuri, Dahomey, Bakongo, Igbo's, Bandundu etc..

I ask again: what did the Fulani's contributed to African history apart from Jihad to make them the most influential? Fulani's are inconsequential outside Nigeria.

Abiyamọ: Tuaregs, just a little over one million. And are limited to small portions in Libya, Tunisia and Algeria.
Maasai: Who knows them outside Kenya and some parts of Tanzania. Well-known and good for tourist heritage but influential? I doubt that very much.
Nubians: Yes, quite prominent but restricted to Sudan and Egypt. I am not doubting their contributions but impact surely not as widespread as the Fulanis.
Binis: Yeah, very influential in Edo State.
Oromos: Another great ethnic group but limited to Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya mainly.
Amharas: Still restricted to Ethiopia.
Shona: Apart from Zimbabwe and parts of Mozambique, Shonas are not that prominent.
Zulu: We all know that this great people are restricted mainly to ONE province in South Africa, KwaZulu Natal. Wonderful people but you will still not compare their influence with the political and economic authority wielded by the Fulanis.
Mande: A good rival.
Ethnic Somalis: The name says it all.
Mandinka: Still part of Mande. You've mentioned that before.
Akan: Ghana and Ivory Coast, that's all.
Hausa: Yes, the closest rival but were they not defeated by the Fulanis?
Kanuri: Mba. Just compare the status today in Nigeria between the Sultan of Sokoto and the Shehu of Borno. The difference is clear.
Dahomey: Stop joor...lol!
Bakongo: Hmmm, yeah but still not very much known outside DRC and some parts of Angola.
Igbos: Yes, wonderful people but still restricted to a part of Nigeria.
Bandundu: That's a tiny tribe in one province of the DRC.

No doubt, you have listed out great tribes and ethnic groups but my basis for classifying Fulanis as the most influential is not hinged upon the fact that I want to get married to one of them...lol! It is strictly based on the degree and level of political, religious, social and economic influence that they wield. (How they got that influence is another topic entirely.) That necessitated listing out some of the most prominent Fulanis. Of all the tribes you have listed out, very few, if any, have risen to become the leaders of their nations, not to talk of other countries in the surrounding regions. Another factor that is considered is the sheer distribution (geographical spread) in about 22 countries out of about 57 or so nations in Africa. That is close to half of the continent. I rest my case.

Being influential has nothing to do with population, size, or everything you listed. If that were to be the case, then the Chinese and Indians would be the most influential people in the world. Great Britain, as small as the Island is, is one of the most influential countries in the world. And that happened by virtue of what it contributed to the history of humanity. The largest Fulani population is in Nigeria and they don't even speak their own language(they mostly speak Hausa) - that shows how watery their culture is. And their sphere of influence is non-existent outside Nigeria.

Anyway, influential in the African context should be based on contributions to African history and not how nomadic or large the tribe is.

Fulani to me, is the most overrated tribe in Africa, period.

Different strokes...lol!

shymexx:

Being influential has nothing to do with population, size, or everything you listed. If that were to be the case, then the Chinese and Indians would be the most influential people in the world. Great Britain as small as the Island is one of the most influential countries in the world. And that happened by virtue of what it contributed to the history of humanity. The largest Fulani population is in Nigeria and they don't even speak their own language(they mostly speak Hausa) - that's shows how watery their culture is. And their sphere of influence is non-existent outside Nigeria.

Anyway, influential in the African context should be based on contributions to African history and not how nomadic or large the tribe is.

Fulani to me, is the most overrated tribe in Africa, period.

Perhaps, your post was based on your love for the Fulani's. That's understandable, but you can call them the "Influential Fulani's." However, calling them the most influential in Africa is disrespectful to other African tribes.

Jihad is un-African and celebrating a culture whose claim to fame was through Jihad, at the expense of other quintessentially African tribes who achieved greatness based on their African consciousness is unacceptable.

You seem to be more concerned with the jihad aspect Well, all cultures gain influence one way or the other, it is all about comparative advantage, so how they got it, to me, is not really the crux of the matter, especially in this context. I do not see any disrespect here, remember this is strictly my personal view and if you think any other tribe is more influential, the floor is yours. Personally, I am yet to see any other tribe in Africa with so much clout and concentration of political, social and economic power particulary in West Africa (please go through the list) as the Fulanis. It has nothing to do with my love or hate for any ethnic group (I don't subscribe to any tribe or race-based philosophy so I don't see this as an affront to African consciousness). It is just an observation from a personal perspective, and of course, you have the right to disagree.

shymexx: Perhaps, your post was based on your love for the Fulani's. That's understandable, but you can call them the "Influential Fulani's." However, calling them the most influential in Africa is disrespectful to other African tribes.

Jihad is un-African and celebrating a culture whose claim to fame was through Jihad, at the expense of other quintessentially African tribes who achieved greatness based on their African consciousness is unacceptable.

Abiyamọ:
Binis: Yeah, very influential in Edo State.

ah ah, u do not have to reduce the influence of binis in nigeria coz u want to prove how influential the fulanis are.

and outside nigeria, bini's influence is still growing in unusual places. in the province of manitoba for example, edo language is the only accredited nigerian language for academic purposes. so easy on the backhanded comment.

Abiyamọ: You seem to be more concerned with the jihad aspect Well, all cultures gain influence one way or the other, it is all about comparative advantage, so how they got it, to me, is not really the crux of the matter, especially in this context. I do not see any disrespect here, remember this is strictly my personal view and if you think any other tribe is more influential, the floor is yours. Personally, I am yet to see any other tribe in Africa with so much clout and concentration of political, social and economic power particulary in West Africa (please go through the list) as the Fulanis. It has nothing to do with my love or hate for any ethnic group (I don't subscribe to any tribe or race-based philosophy so I don't see this as an affront to African consciousness). It is just an observation from a personal perspective, and of course, you have the right to disagree.

There are other tribes in West Africa that are more influential than the Fulani's. Also, we need to be very careful about the types of information we propagate about the African continent. Alluding to a tribe whose claim to fame was based on a foreign ideology, as the most influential, is problematic...and that's the type of information that has continued to paint African people as a non-achieving people.

There are so many tribes in West Africa to write about. Timbuktu, Dogon people, Mandinka, Mende etc. are other great achievers there to write about.

Anyway, I would have ignored the thread if it were to be by just anyone. But your threads are influential and you've got a voice on the internet, hence why I called you out about the title.

ezotik:

ah ah, u do not have to reduce the influence of binis in nigeria coz u want to prove how influential the fulanis are.

and outside nigeria, bini's influence is still growing in unusual places. in province of manitoba for example, edo language is the only accredited nigerian language for academic purposes. so easy on the backhanded comment.

Lmao... Bini Empire is all over every book about African civilisations in the UK. I'm yet to see Fulani on anything apart from the late-coming Uthman Dan Fodio and his Jihad. Yet she called them the most influential in Africa.

Fulani's are so irrelevant, even people from the Futa Djallon mountains region that they came don't rate them.

That does not in any diminish the influence of Bini culture which is equally rich and vibrant. The statement does not reduce the fact that Binis have some of the greatest cultural heritage in Africa. I am not out to prove how influential Fulanis are, I am out to state my opinions as I see them. I will be very naive to expect everyone to agree.

ezotik:

ah ah, u do not have to reduce the influence of binis in nigeria coz u want to prove how influential the fulanis are.

and outside nigeria, bini's influence is still growing in unusual places. in the province of manitoba for example, edo language is the only accredited nigerian language for academic purposes. so easy on the backhanded comment.

Yeah, they so irrelevant in Futa Djallon that they happen to be Prime Ministers and the current Acting President. If there is another country in West Africa where Fulanis have a stronghold, it is Guinea. Well, as I stated earlier, it is different strokes...

shymexx:

Lmao... Bini Empire is all over every book about African civilisations in the UK. I'm yet to see Fulani on anything apart from the late-coming Uthman Dan Fodio and his Jihad. Yet she called them the most influential in Africa.

Fulani's are so irrelevant, even people from the Futa Djallon mountains region that they came don't rate them.

Abiyamọ: Yeah, they so irrelevant in Futa Djallon that they happen to be Prime Ministers and the current Acting President. If there is another country in West Africa where Fulanis have a stronghold, it is Guinea. Well, as I stated earlier, it is different strokes...

Based on your logic - these men: Gowon(Anga tribe) and Babangida(Gwari tribe) - by virtue of ruling Nigeria at one time, or the other, also made their respective tribes relevant and influential, no?

Stop disrespecting Africa for your personal gains - it's mindless and disrespectful.

Personal gains Dear Sir, I'm done. You are free to hold your opinions, just as I am. Before Fulani post will turn personal. I am not getting paid for this That said, your contributions are very much appreciated.

shymexx:

Based on your logic - these men: Gowon(Anga tribe) and Babangida(Gwari tribe) - by virtue of ruling Nigeria at one time, or the other, also made their respective tribes relevant and influential, no?

Stop disrespecting Africa for your personal gains - it's mindless and disrespectful.

Abiyamọ: Personal gains Dear Sir, I'm done. You are free to hold your opinions, just as I am. Before Fulani post will turn personal. I am not getting paid for this That said, your contributions are very much appreciated.

Anyway, no beef with you. Just educating you. Most influential in Nigeria might be appropriate(in the context in which your argument is based on). However, Africa is too big and has achieved a lot, to be set back about 1000 years, with your claim.

What has/did Fulani's achieve(d)?

You've got the great Songhay, Mali, Ghana, Aksum, Zimbabwe, Nubia, Kongo etc. empires and the mystic Dogon, on the same continent. Yet you chose the non-achieving one as the most influential.

Thanks for your education. I just bagged another degree, many thanks.

shymexx:

Anyway, no beef with you. Just educating you. Most influential in Nigeria might be appropriate(in the context in which your argument is based on). However, Africa is too big and has achieved a lot, to be set back about 1000 years, with your claim.

What has/did Fulani's achieve(d)?

You've got the great Songhay, Mali, Ghana, Aksum, Zimbabwe, Nubia, Kongo etc. empires and the mystic Dogon, on the same continent. Yet you chose the non-achieving one as the most influential.

^^^^That's the problem with Nigerians and your innate arrogance. Africa doesn't start and end with Nigeria. Educate your minds!

Knowledge is power and black consciousness is here to stay!!

Eff foreign ideologies and overblown achievements!

I'm out, yo.

Allah Wallu en....

If it was possible, I would make you Pullo right now, brother........
you are very correct.

I'm back again lool.

Err... Even in Nigeria, the three major languages are: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo - the Fulbe language isn't even listed among the official languages. So their influence in Nigeria is non-existent. Also, most of the Southern ethnic groups have produced more prominent people than the Fulani's. And if you want to argue about influence outside Nigeria - Igbo's can boast of a certain Olaudah Equaino, prominent people of Igbo ancestry in Sierra Leone, Barbados, Jamaica etc., and the influence of their language in the new world. Yoruba's can also boast of producing a few of Benin's presidents(including the current one), influence in Togo and Ghana, prominent people of Yoruba ancestry in Sierra Leone, and its influence all over South America and the Caribbean. So their influence is also debatable in Nigeria because this is a tribe with a recessive(and almost extinct) culture that doesn't even speak its own language.

Africa is just too big and too diverse for any tribe to be the most influential. And the continent is as old as humanity itself. However, a lot of tribes contributed to its rich history. We can talk about the contributions of the Nile valley civilisations; to the City of Legends(Timbuktu) and its higher science/scholastic-knowledge; the architectural masterpiece of Great Zimbabwe; mystic Nok arts; the great Kingdoms in present day Somalia; Igbo-ukwu arts; the modernity of Nubia; the greatness of Aksum; the bravery of Dahomey Amazon warriors; the beauty of Oyo's terracotta and Ife's brass carving; the richness of Bini culture and it's wonderful bronze heads; the exuberance of Akan's and gold; the great Queen Nzingha of Kongo etc..

Till you provide anything substantial that the Fulani's added to African history; the ratings I had for you before this would definitely stay at the new low that it's.

I love Africa too much to allow anyone destroy and disrespect the continent of great legends/mighty. Mama Africa.

Okay, Shymexx, okay....lol! I get your points and I will also try to do some fleshing up. I want my rating with you to increase! I will dig into other tribes (I am particularly interested in Benin's President, if Boni Yayi is Yoruba, that'd be amazing, and yes, you are right, Olaudah Equaino deserves a great mention). I guess you have given me another assignment o....lol! You are clearly very passionate about Afrika, same here

shymexx: I'm back again lool.

Err... Even in Nigeria, the three major languages are: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo - the Fulbe language isn't even listed among the official languages. So their influence in Nigeria is non-existent. Also, most of the Southern ethnic groups have produced more prominent people than the Fulani's. And if you want to argue about influence outside Nigeria - Igbo's can boast of a certain Olaudah Equaino, prominent people of Igbo ancestry in Sierra Leone, Barbados, Jamaica etc., and the influence of their language in the new world. Yoruba's can also boast of producing a few of Benin's presidents(including the current one), influence in Togo and Ghana, prominent people of Yoruba ancestry in Sierra Leone, and its influence all over South America and the Caribbean. So their influence is also debatable in Nigeria because this is a tribe with a recessive(and almost extinct) culture that doesn't even speak its own language.

Africa is just too big and too diverse for any tribe to be the most influential. And the continent is as old as humanity itself. However, a lot of tribes contributed to its rich history. We can talk about the contributions of the Nile valley civilisations; to the City of Legends(Timbuktu) and its higher science/scholastic-knowledge; the architectural masterpiece of Great Zimbabwe; mystic Nok arts; the great Kingdoms in present day Somalia; Igbo-ukwu arts; the modernity of Nubia; the greatness of Aksum; the bravery of Dahomey Amazon warriors; the beauty of Oyo's terracotta and Ife's brass carving; the richness of Bini culture and it's wonderful bronze heads; the exuberance of Akan's and gold; the great Queen Nzingha of Kongo etc..

Till you provide anything substantial that the Fulani's added to African history; the ratings I had for you before this would definitely stay at the new low that it's.

I love Africa too much to allow anyone destroy and disrespect the continent of great legends/mighty. Mama Africa.

Op you messed up in more ways than one!
The reason I clicked the thread was because of the impossible title!
Most influential?
You don dey mad?
Influence? how? Where? When?
And we are supposed to be talking of Africa!
The cradle of mankind!
The cradle of human civilisation!

Respect yourself. Let this be the first and the last time EVER in your entire life you'd utter such nonsense to me. Did I beg you to click the link? Respect yourself o, Kwangi kinto ko e ni igi lori. Can you just imagine such senseless questions!I am not here to trade insults but je ki ori e ko pe gidigidi! If you do not agree with the title, write your piece and do not mouth insults at me, okay?

kwangi: Op you messed up in more ways than one!
The reason I clicked the thread was because of the impossible title!
Most influential?
You don dey mad?
Influence? how? Where? When?
And we are supposed to be talking of Africa!
The cradle of mankind!
The cradle of human civilisation!

ezotik:

ah ah, u do not have to reduce the influence of binis in nigeria coz u want to prove how influential the fulanis are.

and outside nigeria, bini's influence is still growing in unusual places. in the province of manitoba for example, edo language is the only accredited nigerian language for academic purposes. so easy on the backhanded comment.

Emwanta we ta na,nia?

I think the OP meant Political influence and not general influence. Apart from politics, i don't see Fulani influence anywhere. The can't match the trio of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. They may even have to compete with some smaller tribes.