| Location: |
Northern Nigeria,
southwestern Niger |
| Population: |
n/a |
| Language: |
Fulbe languages |
| Neighboring Peoples: |
Hausa, Tuareg |
| Types of Art: |
Wodaabe weave and dye beautiful cloth that is
considered extremely valuable throughout western
Africa. |
| History: |
Wodaabe peoples are acutually a subgroup of
the larger Fulbe-speaking Fulani. They prefer
to call themselves Bororo. Fulani are a nomadic
people who have been influential in regional politics,
economics, and histories throughout western Africa
for over a thousand years. Wodaabe live in northern
Nigeria and played a significant role in furthering
Fulani domination in the area. The height of the
Fulani empire was between the early 1800s and
early 1900s. This power was consolidated under
Usman dan Fodio and was centered in northern Nigeria.
Dan Fodio was a devout Muslim who used religious
fervor to ignite his troops to undertake a series
of holy wars. Following the early success of Islamic
warriors, non-Islamic Fulani joined ranks with
their fellows to form an extensive and powerful
empire. |
| Economy: |
Wodaabe are mainly nomadic herders and traders.
The routes they established in western Africa
provided extensive links throughout the region
that fostered economic and political ties between
otherwise isolated ethnic groups. Dairy products
produced from cattle were traded to sedentary
farmers for agricultural products and luxury items.
These items could then be traded to trans-Saharan
traders such as the Tuareg for shipment north.
Fine woven cloth produced by the Wodaabe was considered
a luxury item that could be traded on the international
market. |
| Political Systems: |
The two most significant factors in Fulani political
systems are clientage and competition. In order
to gain political office a Fulani man would have
to compete among his fellows for the right to
rule. He could show his political favor by demonstrating
that he had a large following in the form of individuals
and families. By agreeing to become the client
of a powerful man or family, a subject would offer
tribute in the form of gifts and political support
in exchange for security. Wodaabe men often held
considerable political power within their own
nomadic communities, as well as within the communities
in which they settled in northern Nigeria. |
| Religion: |
Wodaabe religion is largely Islamic. Although
there are varying degrees of orthodoxy exhibited,
most adhere to at least some of the basic requirements
of the religion. It is usually the case that the
wealthy and powerful are among the most religious,
while those who have fewer resources are less
likely to strictly observe their religion. Islam
has been used to justify the holy jihads that
brought the northern territories of modern day
Nigeria under the auspices of Wodaabe and Fulani
leadership. Historically, it has not been unusual
that such political and economic gains would be
made in the name of Islam and result in empire
building. Islam became a religion of importance
among Wodaabe peoples during the 16th century
when the great prophet El Maghili preached the
teachings of Mohammed to the elite of northern
Nigeria. El Maghili was responsible for converting
the ruling classes among Hausa, Fulani, and Tuareg
peoples in the region. |
