+3
People cluster
Fulani
Unreached
0.2%
Evangelicals
Who they are
The Fulani, also called Fula, Fulbe or Peul, are one of the largest peoples in Africa, with more than 40 million people. They are spread across an enormous belt of land, from the coast of Senegal to Sudan, passing through Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. In almost all of these countries they are a minority, but a large and very well-known one.
For centuries the Fulani were famous as cattle herders. Many still lead their herds from place to place in search of pasture and water, while others live in villages and towns as farmers, traders and teachers. They speak the same language, called Pulaar in the west and Fulfulde in the east, and keep a code of honor of their own that values patience, discretion and self-control.
The Fulani have been Muslim for centuries and helped spread Islam across West Africa. For many of them, being Fulani and being Muslim seem to be the same thing. Those who follow Jesus are still very few and, in several regions, face strong pressure from their families.
What sets the subgroups apart
The biggest difference among the Fulani is the way of life. Some groups continue the life of herders who move with their cattle, such as the Wodaabe of Niger, known for festivals in which the young men adorn themselves and dance to be admired. Others settled generations ago in towns and villages, such as the Fula Jalon of the mountains of Guinea and the Fuuta Toro of the Senegal River valley, regions that became centers of Islamic study.
The language varies too: the Pulaar of the west, spoken in Senegal and Guinea, and the Fulfulde of the east, spoken in Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, are close relatives, but differ in speech. In Nigeria, where nearly half of the Fulani live, many live in the cities of the north and also speak Hausa, the main language of the region.
Where they are still unreached
24
Countries
44M
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Nigeria
|
46.8%
|
20.599.000 |
Guinea
|
11.3%
|
4.986.700 |
Senegal
|
10.8%
|
4.763.000 |
Cameroon
|
6.9%
|
3.035.600 |
Niger
|
5.2%
|
2.279.000 |
Mali
|
4.8%
|
2.101.000 |
Burkina Faso
|
4.3%
|
1.905.000 |
Benin
|
1.9%
|
820.000 |
Côte d’Ivoire
|
1.4%
|
625.000 |
Chad
|
1.2%
|
522.000 |
Gambia
|
1.1%
|
467.000 |
Guinea-Bissau
|
0.9%
|
388.000 |
Sierra Leone
|
0.9%
|
378.000 |
Mauritania
|
0.8%
|
331.000 |
Sudan
|
0.6%
|
259.000 |
Central African Republic
|
0.5%
|
240.000 |
Togo
|
0.3%
|
134.000 |
United States
|
0.2%
|
69.000 |
Cape Verde
|
0.1%
|
64.000 |
France
|
0.1%
|
33.000 |
Gabon
|
0.1%
|
26.000 |
Belgium
|
0%
|
8.600 |
Ghana
|
0%
|
5.500 |
Canada
|
0%
|
5.300 |
The 16 peoples in this cluster
+4
+3
+4
+1
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
May the Fulani know Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for every sheep and lays down his life for them.
For the Fulani who follow Jesus, often alone in their family, that they may be strengthened and find brothers and sisters in the faith.
For peace between Fulani herders and farmers in Nigeria and in the dry region south of the Sahara Desert, where disputes over land and water have caused violence and death.
May the families who move with their cattle receive the message of the gospel in audio, in their own language, wherever they go.
For Fulani children and young people, that they may have access to school, healthcare and the Word of God.
May Christians from neighboring peoples overcome old distrust and treat the Fulani with love and respect.