Introduction / History

In the 1800s, Modibo Adama, a scholar and Muslim holy warrior, led a jihad in what is now Cameroon and Nigeria, opening the region up to Fulani colonization. He continued his campaign, eventually conquering many villages and founding his own empire, which he named Adamawa after himself. His Fulani people established Islam as the religion in the region. New converts learned classical Arabic in order to study the Qur 'an. Over the years, some of the Adamawa Fulani have advanced from being exclusively shepherds to being scholarly, influential leaders in their communities. A small number of them have moved to the United States.

Where Are they Located?

Starting around 2000, there has been an increase in the number of African migrants to the United States. Peoples from Nigeria like the Adamawa Fulanis are most likely to live in the cities of Chicago, Detroit, or New York. They live in many states such as Georgia, California, Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Adamawa Fulani are a proud people who teach their children to have dignity. Fulani children are required to respect their elders. They are also taught to strictly hold on to important values such as generosity, honesty, and modesty.

The policy of the United States gives preference to immigrants with money, education, and certain needed skills. That goes for West Africans like the Adamawa Fulanis.

As a general rule, when West Africans migrate to the US, they form their own ethnic specific neighborhoods. That way they only deal with people from their own language and culture. When their population is big enough, they form their own ethnic group specific mosque.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In terms of spiritual beliefs, the Fulani are almost entirely Sunni Muslim with many animistic beliefs blended in. Those who live in the US tend to either gravitate towards becoming more Islamized or more secular.

What Are Their Needs?

The Adamawa Fulanis, be they in Nigeria or the US, need the opportunity to allow Jesus Christ to transform their lives. They have a much better chance of that happening in the US if believers reach out to them.

Prayer Points

Pray for compassionate believers to take Christ to the Adamawa Fulani people.
Pray for courage and love for missionaries who dare to take the gospel to this Nigerian Muslim people group.
Pray for a disciple making movement among the Adamawa Fulani people that will affect their communities in North America and West Africa.

Scripture Prayers for the Fulani, Adamawa in United States.

References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11774/NI
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2016/02/07
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/14/african-immigrant-population-in-u-s-steadily-climbs/