PULAAKU (Fulbe code of conduct)

[Elisa Keisha]

Pulaaku

Based on Islam and on the prudence of the FulBe people they have an own word for their behaviour and code of living: Pulaaku.

Pulaaku is a central element of the FulBe culture and is not only achieved by speaking a Fulani dialect. Pulaaku is taught by the parents to the children and by the clan leaders.

Pulaaku is expressed by a polite and introverted behaviour, keeping distance especially to outsiders. The FulBe people don't show their emotions and are maintaining respect to each other including to enemies.

There are 3 pillars of Pulaaku:

* munyal = patience, self control, discipline ; also written munal
* semteende = modesty, respect ; with this expression I have a problem, because it is translated "lie" *
* hakkillo = wisdom, forethought, managing it's own ; hakkile is translated with "brain, sense, mind"

* modesty should be translated with yankinaare, respect with teddungal. Any comments welcome on this issue!!!
According to Henri Gaden "Le Poular - Lexique Poular-Francais" semtemte means "dénonciation, mensonge", so this is also not right in this context. I have to check the sources if semteende is really the correct expression.

Bintou Sanankoua reports in the addendum of his book "Un empire peul au XIXe siècle" three phrases, which belong to the moral codex of FulBe people:

* 'Be kersata = do not make shame
* 'Be kulata = do no have fear
* 'Be penata = do not lie

This phrases are corresponding ver close to the Pulaaku pillars. It seems they are only a different expression.

Overall Pulaaku means to live in accordance with the traditional merits of the FulBe culture.

In the Pulaar-English dictionary the term is written "Pulaagu" and translated with "Fulani pride". There is also a special word "Toorodaagal", which is translated with "Toorodoo pride". ToorobBe (plural) is the top class in the social hierarchy of the Haalpulaar in Fuuta Tooro.

Source: Pulaaku

[Pragmatic]

Great post. We practice Nh'r in our home, GOD willing.

Today I was telling my daughter this one:

"Be home from the park and catch a movie that start before it get dark."

Because her curfew, when out and about is 5:30, and around the house is 8:30; GOD willing, got to have order. She's required to make her mind up about spending the night or having company by 8:30; this took a gang of trail and error in light of both of our shortcomings.

I just was thinking of this one today. Short and sweet; she laughed when she heard it today. I had just told her she could go to the movies an hour before, so I was a little weary when I had to flip the script on her. I realized it would be dark when the movie let out. Sometimes I forget I'm supposed to show her to be responsible.

Peace be upon you and thank you for the lesson

[Sistahs_Keeper]

I didn't know much about the Fulani people but I came across a pretty decent website for anyone who might be interested. We can stand to use the Fulani as a teaching tool. (It might help to preserve their history and culture). 'Preciate this post.
Pulaaku Ethics

[Sourakhata]

Great Mighty People. My People. Great Post. Pulaaku, it's all about being Pullo.

The Fulani pathways (Laawol Fulve):

· Munyal = patience, self control, discipline
· Gacce/ Semteende = modesty, respect
· Hakkille = wisdom, forethought, managing it's own
· Sagata /Tiinaade= courage, hard work

[Elisa Keisha]

Great Mighty People. My People. Great Post. Pulaaku, it's all about being Pullo.

The Fulani pathways (Laawol Fulve):

· Munyal = patience, self control, discipline
· Gacce/ Semteende = modesty, respect
· Hakkille = wisdom, forethought, managing it's own
· Sagata /Tiinaade= courage, hard work

So these values are still important and valued by Fulani People and its youth?

[Sourakhata]

Very important... Still taught by parents. Haal Pulaar people are extremely pride & jealous of their traditions. It's woven into their fabric. No matter what they'll keep them like they do with their cattle, 'til the end of time, trust me. The pulaaku has even permeated into other ethnic groups. In what's now Senegal, Wolof used the very same fulani term 'munyal' to convey the idea of patience, endurance, one has to be strong & keep faith facing hardships.

Of course so called 'modern times' tends to erode these principles among the younger generations. But it still lives on.
My mother taught us my Sisters & me in lighter version per say.

A great guinean writer, Tierno Monénembo has recently published a captivating historical novel that i'm reading entitled 'Peuls' (still in french, not translated yet as far as i know). But Amadou Hampâté Bâ's (the fulani author par excellence) writtings are translated.






There is so much to say about Haal Pulaar. Nilotic origins, Cheikh Anta Diop has proven that, early muslims, fierce warriors, vast knowledge, highly organized, Fouta Djallon Kingdom had a written constitution as early as 1735 in Timbo, way before French & American revolution ever took place. They bravely resisted french colonial predatory invasion with leader like El Hadj Umar Tall, my ancestor.

[Elisa Keisha]

Sourakhata thank u, this is so interesting. This is another book to add to my list, and inshallah my french gets better soon so i can benefit from reading so much freancophone literature.

This really gives another perspective to the case i have to "analize" for my posgrade, gives sense to all the values, strenght and ideas this young Fula man showed, and which i admired so much.

Also I need to get me some Anta Diop works, cause most of what i've read it was in the library and had to turn it back, or in the internet, and its truly a huge source of knowledge.