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Glite Dictionary
👳 A West African people 🗣️ A West African language
Fulani

Fulani

2 7.5
A person from a West African people who herds cattle and moves from place to place
  • noun
  • /fuˈlɑːni/
: fulani
  • The intricate designs and rounded shapes of this Fulani milk gourd from Nigeria convey meaning.
  • Fulani army
  • Balogun Fulani
  • Hausa-Fulani

Examples

  • When the Yoruba united against the invasion of the Fulani-controlled armies of Ilorin, Oluyole distinguished himself as the leader of the Ibadan army.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Eventually, the Ibadan and Fulani armies clashed around 1830 in the legendary Battle of Osogbo, during which the Ibadan troops defeated the Fulani army.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Traditionally, Fulani cattle herders saw their lifestyle as the best in the world.

    Blog text (8)

  • Osogbo became the frontline of two new regional powers: the Fulani coming from the north, advancing southwards, and the Ibadan marching northwards, determined to stem Fulani aggression.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The Fulani are known for their impressive herding skills and nomadic lifestyle.

  • Many Fulani people maintain traditional practices of cattle herding in the Sahel region.

  • The Fulani community celebrates their culture with vibrant festivals and ceremonies.

Synonyms

Fulbe
vsFulani
1 9.9

A person from a West African people who herds cattle and often moves with them

is phrased using western as an adjective rather than the regional name
Fula
vsFulani
1 9.3

A person from a West African group who moves with cattle and is mostly Muslim

is presented as traditionally Muslim rather than described as mostly Muslim now
Peul
vsFulani
1 9.9

A person from the Fulani group in West Africa

describes instead their pastoral nomadic herding lifestyle and traditional faith
Fulah
vsFulani
1 9.9

A person from a nomadic West African group who herds cattle and is usually Muslim

is expressed as traditionally Muslim herders rather than focusing on present majority
Fellata
vsFulani
  • Archaic
9.9

A nomadic Muslim people in West Africa who herd cattle

is used more as a group identity rather than an activity description

Surface Forms

Fulani singular
Fulani plural

Etymology

Fulani comes from the names the people use for themselves, such as Fula or Fulbe, so the word refers to that West African 'people' who are traditionally cattle herders and nomads.