Filani

Filani, more commonly spelled Fulani (also known as Peul, Fulbe, and Fula), refers to an ethnic group spread across many countries in West Africa and parts of Central Africa and North Africa, predominantly residing in the Sahel region. They are one of the largest nomadic pastoral communities in the world, though a significant portion of Fulani people are now settled.

The Fulani are characterized by their language, Fula (Pulaar, Pular, Fulfulde), part of the Niger-Congo language family. Their origins are believed to be in the Senegal River valley.

Historically, the Fulani have played a significant role in various jihad movements and the establishment of Islamic states across West Africa, such as the Sokoto Caliphate. They are traditionally cattle herders, traders, and scholars.

The Fulani are a diverse group with varying degrees of integration into the societies where they reside, and their relationship with other ethnic groups can vary from peaceful coexistence to conflict. Cultural practices, religious beliefs (predominantly Muslim), and social structures differ among various Fulani subgroups.