Fula

Fula, also known as Fulani, Peul, and Fulfulde, is a member of the Niger-Congo family of languages. It is the language of the Fulbe people, farmers and cattle herders of Western Africa.. The Fulbe are a very large and disperse group. Historically nomadic, this culture travelled from one region to another in a search of water migrating down from North Africa and eastward from Senegal to as far as Sudan. With a population of over 10 million people, the Fulbe area encompasses 17 countries, with the Sahara desert defining the north boundary; and Cameroon and the Central African Republic defining the southern boundary. The Fulbe from Senegal to Sudan consider themselves to be one ethnic group and to speak one language, however several dialects are known, some of which are not easily mutually intelligible. In Senegal, the language is known as Peul and sometimes can be called Fulani or Fulbe. In Guinea, the language is known as Futa Fula.


Sources:

Africa Service
Emuseum
Accelerated Language Cassettes
Ethnologue


Independent Study Courses Available at UCSD:

Other Local Resources:

UCSD International Center
Mingei museum of folk art