8 April 2017

"You Are A Fake Fulani"

Expert Fulani: You can't be a Fulani and a Christian
Me: That's like saying you can't be a Pakistani-Christian or an English-Muslim. But you know people like that exist right?
Expert Fulani: Well they betray their ethnicity
Me: Why should your ethnicity dictate your religion or vice versa? Isn't religion a matter of choice and conviction?
Expert Fulani: Yes, but there are certain things that indicate your level of commitment to your ethnicity, and if you're a true Fulani you would never even consider Christianity
Me: But the more educated we are, the more we experience other cultures and understand different peoples, the more we will embrace things that was against our culture years ago. I'm sure you know there was a time when a Fulani woman with a Masters degree from London was improbable and even considered wrong...
Expert Fulani: But religion is much more important than education.


Me: Did you choose to be a Muslim, or was it a family tradition you were born into and found yourself a part of, and you just didn't consider other options?
Expert Fulani: Of course Islam is part of our tradition, but I also know Islam is the truth. Being Fulani is completely linked with being a Muslim. A Fulani-Christian is an oxymoron.
Me: Why should this remain so?
Expert Fulani: Because it is the way it has always been, we like it this way. It is what makes us us.
Me: So a Fulani adult has no right to become a Christian?
Expert Fulani: Not if they love and honour their culture. Not if they respect their family. It is detestable to us and is against the Qur'an.
Me: So what about the few Christian Fulanis in Northern Nigeria who continue to drink Fura da Nono and speak Fulfude?
Expert Fulani: I doubt such people exist. And if they do they are detestable and will certainly not be allowed to live amongst other respectable Fulanis. A Muslim Fulani is the only true Fulani.


Me: Do you live in a hut?
Expert Fulani: No
Me: Do you herd cows?
Expert Fulani: Of course not
Me: Well that was the way the original Fulanis lived. They were nomadic and lived in temporary homes. So since you do none of those things, how can you call yourself a true Fulani?
Expert Fulani: Don't be silly. There's more to us than that.
Me: Really?
Expert Fulani: Of course. Our culture is more than herding cows. That's even an insult to confine our people to just been cow-herders. We are scientists, businessmen and politicians. Things have changed since we lived in huts.
Me: I agree. So don't you also think that things have changed since every Fulani was a Muslim? Cultures evolve and people change. This doesn't mean that one's ethnicity is less authentic, its just... different. Everyone is allowed to make what they will of their heritage. You can embrace it, reject it or adapt it to suit your situation, but you cannot live in exactly the same way your parents did.
Expert Fulani: But with religion it is different. Religion is our identity. It binds us together and makes us one. It dictates our education, marriages, laws and culture. It is the one thing that can never be compromised.


Me: I understand that being a Muslim is more than just a religion to you. But to say being a Muslim is the only authentic Fulani identity denies the ability of our culture to transcend religion, location and occupation.
Expert Fulani: I don't care to listen to what you're saying. Your western way of thinking has corrupted your view of your ethnicity. We are nothing without Islam. You are nothing without Islam. Christians are known for their wishy-washy religion, but for us Islam is the bedrock of our being and we will never become apostates. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Me: Well I am not. I am in a country that protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I may have remained a Muslim if I lived in Kaduna, but then I would not have extended my education, become a Journalist or expanded my knowledge of the world through reading, traveling and interacting with different people. The only shame here is that you believe that a people as noble, hospitable and beautiful as the Fulanis should remain so intolerant of other faiths. I always wonder at those that turn religion - an abstract, subjective thing - into an instrument of fear, hate and condemnation that weighs down, divides and ignores civility and simple humanity when it should transcend petty prejudices.
Expert Fulani: You're just being dramatic. That's not the issue here...
Me: Religious intolerance is exactly the issue here. I don't need your approval to embrace my ethnicity, and I suggest you leave judgements about the rightness of my beliefs to God.
Expert Fulani: Hm, may Allah lead you back to the truth
Me: And may the truth set you free.

33 comments:

  1. @Expert Fulani
    I wonder why "Expert" Fulani assumes that the Fulani identity or culture must be the same thing as being of a muslim faith? I think, he/she's learnt to equate Fulani led Muslim conquest of some parts of Northern Nigeria as synonymous with being of Islamic faith and culture without choice etc. Does he/she think Islam predates Fulani culture and existence in Africa?

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  2. The majority of Fulanis, I'll say around 98%, are Muslims and have been for centuries. Many Fulanis have never even met or heard of a non-Muslim Fulani but we exist, both Christian and atheist.

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  3. So what ethnicity were the Fulanis before Islam and Christianity were invented?

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  4. Like all Africans, before conquerors and colonialists brought Islam and Christianity to the continent, Fulanis were animists, spiritualists or pagans. But Islam and Fulanis have been interlinked since the 14th century.

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  5. I disagree completely with Expert Fulani, he sees all only to his nose. Lives only with Cultures, Religion has failed us and this reason Africa is a total failure. China, Indians, Malaysia has quickly adapted to the real world if they will have to compete with the real world of TODAY. They quickly began to learn English as a weapon to be in the real time world.
    We say Islam is the the only truth and Peaceful. Lets face it- Arab Uprising, Middle East, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria.
    Culture, Religious are pulling us back! We can define our culture to suit the modern time and move with time. Countries which still see themselves as Culturalism and Religiouslism fail woefully, Middle East are not contented with therefore call for Revolution and demand for change.
    Christianity and Islam are imported for us in Africa but we practised it more too extreme than the owner. Fulah and Hausa will prefere to go places like Saudi Arabia or other Muslim states. But people from this Places travel to Europe. Why did Tunisia, Moroccans, Libyan, Iranian, Irakis, Egyptians, Turkish, Sudanis, Somalis and many Moslems flood France and many parts of Europe
    Why not wait for Allah to step in himself.
    Heaven help those who help themselves.
    Christianity and Modern time have drawn a clear line between a Nation and Religion and cultures- Education, Standard of living, Jobs and so on.
    Religious and only Prayers are not enough to set us free until we deliver ourselves through changes.

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  6. I agree to a large extent. Religion should aid progress not stand in the way of it. The New Testament is the most radical of religious books because of the new and progressive ideas Jesus spoke about.

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  7. Did I read something like this on Nairaland?

    'Expert' Fulani thinks he has the right to dictate who belongs to that ethnicity or not. I giggled to myself while reading through this post. This is what Northern Nigerian Muslims have to contend with: intolerance.

    I don't know how changing religion will change or affect someone's ethnicity. Ethncitiy is part of one's unchanging identity element while religion is not. You are probably an extremely 'tolerant' person going by how you calmly replied to that guy.

    And by the way, I stumbled on your site while ... hmm, probably googling something about Hausa. I have never met any Hausa-Fulani non-Muslim.

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  8. Yes, a Nairaland thread about this blog dealt with the same issues.

    And you're right, we can CHOOSE to believe what we want to believe, but we can't choose which ethnic group to be born into. Religion is a choice not a birth right.

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  9. You simply cannot be Fulani and christian, it doesnt mix well. Fulani has close relations to the muslim religion and culture.
    I see... Its quite obvious that you abandoned your islamic religion in fear of what others will think of you as being a Muslim.
    You dont want to be seen in that perspective as a muslim because westerners relate Islam to terrorists,(even though many Muslims are not terrorists).
    Do you consume pork and alcoholic drinks?

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  10. Well, I became a Christian a little while before the 9/11 attacks, before 'Muslims terrorists' became a big fear. So that had nothing to do with it. BTW, the Fulani tie to Islam was a result of a jihad, before that we were traditionalists, and there are Fulanis elsewhere in Africa that are still traditionalists.

    And to change religion because of people's perception?? I don't think there's anybody in the world that does that. That's just too fickle for words. It would actually be easier for me to return to Islam because of other Fulanis' perceptions of me. But like I said, that would be too fickle for words.

    Yup, I eat sausages and bacon (because I can) but nope, I don't drink alcohol at all. I don't like the taste or smell.

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  11. Hello hausa fulani nigerian. I am a british hausa-fulani girl myself and yup I have a bachelor degree as well as a masters from top british univeristies. Ur fulani expert part of the story seems made up and overly exergerated, it seems ur making up these things based on how u feel this particular character sees u ( a lot of self defending goin on with no attack from the other side). Anyways I have a lot on my mind but can't be bothered to type right now. If u want to be a pegan be one, no one will ansa for the other in the hearafter (free country also) but wot I will say to u is looking into islam one more time, its everything.

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    1. The conversation is actually an amalgamation of various conversations I've had over the years with Muslims.

      Also, I'm not a Pagan, I'm a Christian.

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  12. I'm not here to judge you but it will be interesting to know why you decided to change from Islam to Christianity the books teach nearly the same doctrines. Don't you think it as lack of faith, belief and conviction. Now this is coming from the angle that maybe if another sweet talker/orator talks to you about some other religion you may find it alright to change. Now, if you still want to stay christian, you need a strong faith and your faith shall save you. like the leper that touched Jesus cloth. If you don't have faith you might as well forget about it. Think deep inside your being...why did I change. Did you even give Islam a chance in your life. Again I'm not judge here, only Allah almighty can Judge us, lest I forget Only God can judge us. Apologies for any typo

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  13. The fact is my eyes are wide open to the reality of living as either a muslim or Christian; the choice is mine, and I can become a Muslim tomorrow if I choose it, but I choose Christianity. A sweet talker is not enough to change my mind.

    I've seen enough of both religions to know I've made the right choice.

    And as for saying Islam and Christianity share nearly the same doctrines, I beg to differ. They really don't.

    Thanks for your comment though, I appreciate being asked these questions in such a decent manner.

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  14. Miss, you did mention that both your first and surnames are western. I will like to belief that you were born a christian and not a convert as you potraited here. Your parents might have been Maguzawa in Wusasa area of Zaria and certainly with no links to Fulbe. Have never seen a non-muslim fulani and I am pretty sure you are not one of us. lest me forget,there were and still are a thousand and one fulani ladies with degrees, masters and phds from western institutions. come to Adamawa and see it for yourself.

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    1. Nope, born a Muslim, but my mum was a Christian. And my parents are from Adamawa not Zaria, and my grandmother spoke fluent Fulfude/Fulbe.

      I've met a (very) few Christian Fulanis. There are some around. You're right about the highly educated Fulani women though, that's one pleasantly surprising facts I found out since I arrived in Nigeria.

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  15. It is sad that so many associate religion with ethnicity. We all mostly follow the religion we are born into, very few think about it for themselves. What many Fulbe fail to realize is that by converting to Islam you began the process of a loss of Fulbe and African cultural norms. So what difference does it make which religion one choses, the main point should be keeping your culture intact as much as possible what ever religion you choose. Fulbe are shepherds not cows that most follow, without thinking for themselves. To the author, I congratulate you for being able to decide for your self. Although your mother being a Christian perhaps had some impact. What is important is religious tolerance in Nigeria. If an Igbo feels Islam is the choice for him, so be it, if a Fulbe /decides on Christianity, that is fine as well. If like the Wodabbe/Bororro,some want to remain traditionalists, in my opinion even better. We have to realize most of these religions are foreign imports and must not be allowed to divide us as a people. In my opinion this has nothing to do with modernity or times changing, it is how it should always have been and how it was in more traditional African settings. We mostly all worshiped one God but had our different deities which we used for such worship. It was not a perfect situation but is sure better than the religious intolerance that exists on both sides today. Peace!

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    1. What a mature, measured and enlightened comment from you sir/madam. You are the kind of fair and open-minded person I hope to reach and hope to hear from.

      The world seems a much saner place when I know that there are people like you and many other guests to this blog around. Thank you :)

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  16. wow Gud 2 no i hav a sister in christ that is a puulo.

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  17. Religious intolerance is such a disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. Now before the existence of Islam there was a Fulani culture, tribe, Traditional religion etc How does the Fulani expert describe these Fulani ancestors and Fulani groups who still practice Animism?

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  18. I think it will be more appropriate if you would describe yourself as being of Fulani origin rather than being a Fulani. My suggestion has nothing to do with your religion but with your culture. If you don't speak Fulfulde and you don't dress like the Fulani (like you said elsewhere on the blog) your claim to being Fulani is very weak. I doubt if there is an Englishman anywhere in the world who doesn't speak English and who dresses in 'Kaftan' and embroidered cap. Being Fulani is not just a genetic matter but living the culture as well. If it is just about genes, the British Royal Family would be German, right? You are of Fulani origin but you are not Fulani.

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    1. Wow, strong words Raji Bello. But I disagree. I know of 'City' and 'International' Fulani that neither speak Fulfude nor dress like Fulanis (many Fulfude-speaking Fulanis don't dress like traditional Fulanis either), but yet I bet you'd give them a pass as long as they are Muslims right?

      What of the African-Americans who have never been to Africa, don't dress 'African' or speak any African languages? Or the Yorubas in London who don't speak, dress or know much about Yoruba culture?

      Sure I'm of Fulani origin, but I also self-identify as Fulani, which is what matters. I could give little importance to my Fulani heritage, its definitely easy to forget it in the UK or Nigeria, but I choose not to. What of Obama who could self-identify purely as a Black man, which is the box the world puts him in, but he acknowledges his white heritage. He doesn't have to, but it's his choice, as it is mine. I know someone whose maternal grandmother was half Korean, and he looks white but he acknowledges and celebrates his Koreaness, despite only been there once in adulthood and not speaking the language. Or the Irish man who lived in Northern Nigeria for over 30 years, married a Northerner, spoke Hausa and became a Muslim. Is he still Irish? Or his children who self-identify as half-Irish despite only embracing the country in adulthood? How much of a culture do you have to imbibe before you can claim it? It helps if you look like the natives too right? All these questions of identity follow me everywhere, but in the end I have to choose where I want to belong.

      You don't choose your lineage but you choose your acknowledgement of it. You may not fully be part of or even understand your heritage, but no one can tell you you can't embrace what's already in your DNA.

      Plus I'm not culturally Fulani out of circumstance not out of choice. I'm of Fulani origin yes, but I'm also Fulani, in my own unique way.

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    2. Sorry, I didn’t mean to use any strong language. I was trying to point out that being Fulani is more than having the genes. You said in a part of your blog that you were presenting a Fulani woman’s perspective which I found to be a bit overstated since you haven’t lived the Fulani female experience. Obama too has been told by some that he hasn’t lived the Black American experience. But now that you are in Abuja, you can re-acculturise by learning the language and dressing in wax prints, Lol. Of course, I have no right to tell you how to live; I’m just making a light-hearted suggestion. I have no problem with your faith at all and it won’t prevent you from being a Fulani. Having said this, I can understand why some people think that Fulani identity and being Muslim should go together. Fulani identity is unique in the fact that a person’s character and behavior are considered to be part of it and not just their appearance, dressing or speech. The Islamic etiquette of modesty, reserve, patience etc reinforces the Fulani code of behavior known collectively as Pulaaku and the two are quite compatible. Islam gives Pulaaku a higher purpose. This makes many to believe that without Islam, Pulaaku will not thrive in an individual’s life. Muslim Fulani are more likely to retain Pulaaku than non-Muslim ones because Islam as currently practiced encourages them to do so. I must state that the earlier forms of Christian life are also compatible with Fulani identity; it is the modern, Westernised varieties that are not. Since most African Christians in the middle- and upper-classes do Westernise as well, the drift away from Pulaaku is inevitable. It is not Christianity that is inherently at odds with Fulani identity but Westernisation. Did the Fulani exist before the advent of Islam? I would like to believe they did although I can’t be sure since there is no documented history of the Fulani before Islam. But if they did exist before Islam, I believe that they still had their Pulaaku. My take on the issue of Fulani identity and faith, with cheers from a fellow Fulani.

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    3. Thanks for your second comment, which cooled the fire ignited by the first.

      I most certainly believe that Fulanis as a race existed before Islam, why wouldn't they have? Islam was not the genesis of existence for many tribes across the world. Fulanis as we know them today are united with Islam yes, but common sense says it wasn't always so.

      There are also Fulanis across Africa who are not Muslims or are nominally Muslim, with their traditional beliefs dominant. Pulaaku is a way of life not a religion. Religion is one thing and culture is another, the two intermix, but one is not the same as the other. This seems obvious to me.

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    4. That is true. Cameroon being an example, with many Fulbe Christians in the Northern parts.

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  19. Everything has to do with perspective. From your perspective you consider yourself to be Fulani which in itself is something laudable because you want to stick to your roots. The challenge is looking at it from the perspective of 'fellow' Fulanis...whether they accept you as who you are.

    There is always bound to be friction between what the 'group' accepts and what the 'individual' professes. Our societies have not yet 'evolved' (for want of a better word to use) towards the situation where a Fulani would walk amongst Fulani with his head held up and have some feature of his/her identity distinctly different from the majority.

    I think Yorubas are a perfect example of a social group that are like this.

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    1. Sigh. You're probably right. I can claim what I want to claim but I will always fall short of other people's beliefs of what a Fulani is.

      Yours and Raji Bello's comment inspired my latest blog post 'No Validation from Fulanis Required'.

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  20. "And may the truth set you free"!
    Only the truth sets free not religion, dogma, culture or belief systems, not tradition, legend or social self identity/awareness. Only the truth truly enlightens. Only the knowledge of the truth sets free!!
    Great read!

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  21. My name is sesugh. I just wanted to say , not all Fulanis are muslim. I am fulani and a christian, although i was raised in england. My mother was a fulani , born a christian , raised in a muslim fulani community in northern nigeria. My Grandfather was a Fulani who's parents died when he was at a very young age , meaning he was raised by a christian orphanage , as a christian. He had close to 20 children , most of whom had atleast 4 children. That is already near to 100 Fulani christians , all of whom with the exception of me my brother and sister live in nigeria. its estimated that 2% of fulani are christian. Although that is a miniscule number , with an estimated 90% claiming Islam, with an estimated 50 million fulani in the world that is still 100,000 people. Hardly a non - existent group.

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    1. Hi Sesugh, thanks for your very informative comment. I know two other Christian Fulani families apart from mine, and it's heartening to hear that there are many others too, many of whom, like your mother, live within the Muslim community. I would love to comverse with you further on this; my email address is sweetweet121@gmail.com

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