UPG: Fulani [6084]

Go! Center #6084

The Fulani people, also known as the Fula or Fulbe, are one of Africa’s largest and most widely dispersed ethnic groups, with a population of over 40 million spread across West and Central Africa. Despite their significant numbers, a significant portion of the Fulani remain an unreached people group, meaning they have limited access to Christianity or other major world religions.

The Fulani are traditionally a nomadic, pastoralist people, known for their cattle herding and distinctive culture. They follow Islam predominantly, which they adopted through trade routes and interactions with Arab merchants centuries ago. However, a substantial portion of the Fulani continue to practice their traditional animistic beliefs alongside Islam, making them a unique and complex religious group.

Reaching the unreached Fulani presents challenges due to their nomadic lifestyle, diverse cultural practices, and the vast geographic regions they inhabit. Missionary efforts and humanitarian organizations are working to bridge this gap by providing education, healthcare, and promoting intercultural understanding. These efforts aim not only to bring religious teachings but also to improve the overall well-being and livelihoods of the Fulani people.

Your twelve-month West Africa experience will include cultural studies of both the Fulani and Islam. Language study will be a major part of evangelizing this great but lost Unreached People Group.