The Fulani of Niger
The Fulani are a culturally diverse and widely dispersed group across the continent West to East in a band just South of the Sahara desert.
Please pray the Fulani would hear and embrace God’s desire for them: “That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD and besides Me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:10-11.
Population: 20 million
Location and Background: The Fulani are widely dispersed with large populations in Nigeria, Guinea, and Senegal. They are also found in Gambia, Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and as far East as Sudan.
They are thought to be an ancient people of West African and North African descent.
Culture: Despite the diversity of culture among the Fulani, they all adhere to a code of conduct called ‘pulaaku’. These moral values can be summarized in four qualities: patience (acceptance of Fate, self-control, discipline), wisdom (intelligence, common sense, prudence, shrewdness), modesty (respect for others, personal responsibility, hospitality) and courage (strength, handwork).
Cattle are highly prized among the Fulani. The decreasing availability of land and drought leads to conflict with their farming neighbors.
The Fulani can be grouped into three types:
The Nomadic/Pastoralist Mbororo
The Semi-nomadic
The settled “Town” Fulani
Religion: Islam. The Fulani were the first group in West Africa to convert to Islam. Fulani clerics are held in high esteem.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Peace, Truth, and no more Fear
Last Sunday we met with the new believers and asked them what was so sweet to them about their new faith. One said now that he trusts in Jesus, he is at peace because he knows Jesus is sovereign over his life and so anything that happens to him is in Jesus’ control. Another shared that it is so good to be able to know and understand truth from God’s Word. His wives both expressed that now they are not afraid, before they lived in fear of spirits, of the dead, of ghosts, of going places, and of meeting new people. Now they have no fear because Jesus is with them. Now there is peace in their home, unlike their neighbors and relatives who are constantly in conflict with one another.
Praise God for these new believers and pray they will continue experience the sweetness of Jesus and share it with others.
May God open hearts
Pray for wisdom on how to engage the people with Christ during literacy lessons, farming together, and medical help. Ask the Lord to open hearts to hear and believe the gospel.
