Location: Western Africa, in the vicinity of the borders of present day Mali, Senegal and Mauritania
History: The Pular, also known as the Fulani, were the nomadic cattle owners of Western Africa. Their conquests were born in Mali and took them as far away as the Southern parts of Mauritania. Because of the constant traveling, settlement was not a priority with the Pular. They would continue to seasonally migrate out from their origin. Their most outstanding periods of history were their religious reform movements in the Hausa states. These campaigns led to the ultimate downfall of their opposing Masina and Tukulor empires. Islam was their main religion. Little care was taken in the locations and boundaries of their neighbors, but rather what creed they fell under. Their Islamic religion as well as their language stayed the same. Because of the isolation of the nomadic Pular, their language was preserved as their own.
Daily Life: A member of the Pular tribe did not have trouble getting by. Being nomads, the Pular were able to move about the country without settling down at any particular place. If indifferent with a location, the Pular would simply move on and look for another residence. Their days were constantly changing at their will.
Best Known Feature: The best known feature of the Pular would have to be their Jihad mission through Africa. This holy war influenced various neighboring countries along the Western side. Much of the Islamic religion was spread through such missions.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on the Pular.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL.
If you are Pular, your feedback is much appreciated.
References:
Arnott, D. W.. Literature in Pular. Cambridge: University Press. 1985.
“Cultural Diversity.” Africa: Pular Culture. (2 May 1999)
http://laawol.pulaaku.net/defte/dwarnott/fulaliterature.html 22 February 2003.
Images found at: “members2.clubphoto.com”
Written by Neil McCluhan, 2003