Peul

People, of about forty million people, spread throughout almost all the countries of West Africa reaching Tchad, Cameroon and Nigeria, where they are more numerous with about seventeen million and with a significant presence in Ivory Coast although not an Ivorian ethnic group. They spread throughout the Sahel and the Sahara, affirming their presence in about fifteen countries, with just over four million being the majority ethnic group of Guinea Conakry. There are many controversial theories about the origin of the Peuls. Senegalese scientist and ethnologist Cheick Anta Diop makes them come from Egypt, which seems more likely and which Tauxier confirms saying that already a first wave left Middle Egypt in the century VI throughout all these centuries, in different migrations since the century. IX fleeing from the Almoravids, they have been occupying their present territories. In past times they implanted small theocratic states like those of Macina in Mali or Futa Toro and Futa Yallon in Guinea. The Peuls, Fulani, Fulbe, Poular or Pullo, among others name with which they are frequently called, is a village of nomadic cattle herders, mainly Zebus, who over the course of time have been sedentarized and installed in the current places, which has also facilitated the mixing with other ethnic groups, mainly with the Serere and the Tekruri, already from the century on. XIIIToday they are mostly Islamized although there are some Christinas however syncretism with animism is very common because animism is something inherent to the African soul. They usually make scarifications on the face and their way of dress is characteristic. Turbante similar to that of the tuaregs, conical straw hat, tunic under which they wear a wide trousers and cane. As skilled leather workers they also use garments and objects of this material. Sedentary Peuls tend to dress the same as most ethnic groups in the countries in which they are established. Women tattoo the palm of their hands and feet as well as lips and gums with indigo and dress the cloth and bubu of this color. They decorate their ears with large gold or gold metal earrings with twisted foils. The number of bracelets they carry indicates their wealth. Peul education is based on respect for the elderly. In the absence of the father, the older brother enjoys the respect of others. It dominates good manners, the rules in food are strict. Courtesy and hospitality and generosity are rigorous. They have a code of moral and social rules that they must respect, the pulaaku, followed by the Peuls of any country in which they live as a symbol of their identity but their ancient nomadic life has also taught them to be independent and free. Despite everything, Peul societies are very different. Peuls may marry and divorce several times, although polygamy is rare, only among the Islamicized Peuls in the cities. In some societies the inheritance is matrilineal, that is, inherited from the uterine uncle, the mother's brother. In the cities, the caste classification has disappeared, the money replaced the caste, while the rural and nomadic world remains strongly hierarchical with numerous castes, nobles, warriors, griots, fishermen, ranchers, loggers, tanners, weavers, among many others. And marriage is regulated by caste. In addition to the castes they are grouped by clans, according to the regions they live in, the cattle they shepherd or the ancestor founder. But mutual help and respect are rigorous.