Name: Fulani of Cameroon
Population: 2,938,000
Primary Religion: Sunni Islam (99.95%)
Status of Gospel: Unreached and unengaged; evangelicals (0.05%) and those who identify as Christian (0.05%)
Most of the Fulani are nomadic shepherds who travel with their flocks, in search of better grazing land. They have lighter skin, thinner lips, and straighter hair than other African groups living near them.
Although most of the Adamawa Fulani are shepherds, some also raise a few crops such as sorghum or corn. They trade with neighboring tribes for millet, yams and peanuts. Milk is the main staple in their diet, and this distinguishes them from the tribes who do not milk their cattle. They also produce butter, which can be traded in the markets. The Fulani nomads live in “wet season camps” while planting and harvesting. The pastures are lush and green and the cattle graze freely. These camps consist of beehive-like huts made of woven twigs, leaves and grass. During the dry seasons, they camp in portable huts, moving the cattle or sheep to well-watered lands in the flood plains.
While Fulani children are still infants, marriages are arranged for them by their parents. When a boy is initiated into manhood, he moves into a separate hut. This hut will eventually become the home of his fiancée. Young girls look forward to being married, since this will give them a higher social status. Having many children will also bring them honor. The Fulani have an unusual way of initiating boys into manhood. The young boys must beat each other across the chest with walking sticks while showing no signs of pain. Throughout the rest of their lives, these scars are proudly shown as signs of courage.
The Fulani traditionally remain both physically and psychologically distant from non-Fulani. They are very reserved and show no strong emotions. In fact, their only emotional ties appear to be with their herds. It is said that no one really knows what a Fulani is thinking. He is gentle yet shows disdain toward outsiders.
Prayer Points
- Ask the Lord to raise up prayer teams who will begin “breaking up the soil” through worship and intercession.
- Pray that God will call those who are willing to go to Cameroon and share Christ with the Fulani.
- Ask the Lord to give Adamawa Fulani believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
- Pray that the Fulani elders will be led to Christ and, in turn, begin leading their families to Him.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Adamawa Fulani toward Christians and be receptive to the Gospel.
- Pray that God will open the hearts of Cameroon’s governmental leaders to the Gospel.
- Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Adamawa Fulani.