Case Study: The Fulani and Yoruba Farmers — A Call for National Dialogue and Spiritual Understanding

Case Study: The Fulani and Yoruba Farmers — A Call for National Dialogue and Spiritual Understanding

I. General Analysis (Worldly Observation)

1. Context of Observation

During my NYSC service year in Nafada, Gombe State, I served as a teacher among two key indigenous tribes:

Biri Bolawa – Full-time crop farmers (farming for both consumption and income)

Biri Fulani – Topical Fulani, known for cattle rearing, especially cows, primarily for income generation

2. Cultural Traits of the Fulani

While teaching children from both tribes, I observed something deep yet subtle among the Fulani:

Though they rear cows and fowls, they rarely eat meat.

They cook and eat without meat, despite having it in abundance.

This puzzled me. Is this a form of spiritual training or cultural drilling? Perhaps it's a symbol of self-restraint, economic preservation, or spiritual practice.

3. Respect and Recognition

My presence as a Yoruba man did not cause division. Instead:

The Fulani people showed high regard for moral character and religious commitment.

I was honored more than some Hausa corps members, due to their recognition of my values and discipline.

The late King of Biri Fulani stood up to recognize me during a general sanitation effort, shortly before my service ended.

> Question to Yoruba land:

Do we also honor morality, true religion, and character this way?

II. Word Equations (Sociological Breakdown)

Let us simplify the Fulani and Yoruba contribution to society using equations:

Equation 1

> Yoruba Farmer = Human Being + Tools + Land

Yoruba farmers cultivate the soil using tools, labor, and land.

Equation 2

> Fulani Cow Rearer = Human Being + Staff + Cow

Fulani herders use their staff to manage livestock—nurturing and protecting their wealth on foot.

Equation 3

> Yoruba Farmer’s Produce = Raw Food (e.g., yam, cassava, vegetables)

Fulani Rearer’s Produce = Livestock → Raw Meat (Cow, Milk, Hide, etc.)

Equation 4

> Who Consumes Food Most?

Yoruba + Igbo + Hausa → High consumers of both cooked and raw food.

Equation 5

> Who Consumes Meat Most?

Yoruba + Igbo → High consumers of beef and animal products.

III. Reflective Question: Who Are the Fulani Serving?

From the above equations, we see a system where:

Fulani provide livestock (meat)

Yoruba, Igbo, and others consume the product heavily.

So, who is the Fulani serving?

They serve the entire nation — yet they are misunderstood, feared, and sometimes hated.

If indeed they wanted to harm Nigeria (as many accuse them), they wouldn’t need machetes or rifles.

All it would take is a spiritual spell or curse on the cows. Then anyone who eats beef would be captivated spiritually.

But they don’t do this — because most of them still hold to deep spiritual traditions and patience.

IV. The Solution Is Dialogue, Not Division

Rather than stoking ethnic crisis, burning farms, or promoting secessionist ideologies like “Yoruba Nation,” let us call for national dialogue.

> Dialogue is divine.

Understanding is prophetic.

Wisdom is healing.

Let government officials and traditional leaders sit with Fulani elders and discuss root causes of:

#.Clashes between herders and farmers

#. Land disputes

#. Cultural misunderstandings

#. Economic pressures

With spiritual maturity, a just system can be built.

V. Spiritual See-Through (Coming Soon)

Stay tuned for the next post titled:

> "Spiritual Analysis of the Fulani-Farmer Crisis in Nigeria"

... and why Nigeria needs to embrace Sufism (Tasawwuf) for:

#. Divine wisdom

#.Pure worship

#.Peaceful coexistence

#.Solutions to national problems

Final Word

> Let us see beyond tribe, and into purpose.

Let us stop labeling, and start listening.

The Fulani are not just herders.

The Yoruba are not just farmers.

We are all servants of the soil — and ultimately, servants of Allah.

By: Sheikh Mukadam Habeebullah Olukolu-ZB Abolade (Amirul-Aoliyah – Baba Awori)