Sokoto Fulani

Quick facts about the Sokoto Fulani

Location: Niger, Nigeria
Also Known As: Sokoto Fulbe
Status: Engaged by IMB
Population: 450,000
Primary Religion: Islam
Number of Christians: approx. 20
Language: Fulfulde

The Sokoto Fulani are a sub-set of the Fulani, a people group of over 18 million found throughout West Africa.
The Fulani were one of the first African tribes to convert to Islam and are today more than 99% Muslim.
The Sokoto Fulani are semi-nomadic herders whose lives revolve around their cattle.
The more cattle a man owns, the more respect he is given.

Missionaries working among the Sokoto Fulani have recently seen a surge of responsiveness to the gospel. Pray these new believers will quickly grow strong in their faith and bold in sharing the gospel with others.

Learn more about the Sokoto Fulani!

The Fulani are usually easy to recognize. They are taller and lighter skinned that many of their African neighbors. Most men have markings on either side of their faces, temples and/or on their foreheads. The Fulani women are very graceful. They carry milk products stacked on their heads in calabash bowls. The women enjoy wearing brightly colored, beautifully beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Like the men, they have markings on their faces around their eyes and mouths that they were given as children.

While the Fulani in some West African countries have thrived, those in Niger struggle in a difficult climate. Most simply do well enough to provide the basic requirements for living. Most homes are simple shelters, and wardrobes consist of only two or three outfits. Their meals provide minimal nutritional requirements at best. Few things are purchased beyond the equipment needed to carry out tasks.

For centuries to be a Fulani meant to be a cattle owner. Still today, most men spend their days with the cattle, leading them to water and grazing lands.