The Fulani people, one of Africa’s largest and most widespread pastoral populations, have long been a subject of intrigue for researchers, particularly due to their large geographical distribution and distinct lifestyle. Spanning several regions across the Sahel and Savannah belts of West and Central Africa, the Fulani population speaks languages from the Niger-Congo family and is known for its nomadic lifestyle. However, the origins and genetic diversity of this group have remained elusive, largely because their nomadic nature, reliance on mobile camps, and lack of permanent settlements have left little in the way of archaeological evidence.
In an effort to unravel the complex genetic landscape of the Fulani people, a groundbreaking study was recently published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, shedding new light on their diverse ancestry. The study, conducted in collaboration with Fulani communities and local researchers across seven African countries in the Sahel belt, represents one of the most comprehensive genetic investigations of the Fulani to date. The findings offer key insights into the long and intricate history of the Fulani people, shaped by migration, cultural interactions, and environmental factors.
A Nomadic Life with Complex Origins
While the Fulani people are known to number over 40 million across multiple African nations, their ancestral origins have remained unclear for many years. The study’s lead author, Cesar Fortes-Lima, a population geneticist from Johns Hopkins University and Uppsala University, explained, “Even though the Fulani are a huge population group of more than 40 million people, they are still largely underrepresented in genomics research. Therefore, this study has important implications for our understanding of the Fulani population’s history in particular and human diversity in Africa in general.”
The study analyzed biological samples and anthropological data from over 460 Fulani individuals across 18 locations in West Africa, Central Africa, and the Sahel region. The research also incorporated information from local communities, making the study not only a genetic analysis but also an anthropological exploration of Fulani culture and traditions.
One of the key challenges in studying the Fulani has been the lack of archaeological evidence linked to their nomadic lifestyle. Unlike other groups that have left behind permanent settlements and cultural artifacts, the Fulani’s reliance on mobile tents and temporary encampments meant that traditional archaeological methods could not be used to trace their origins. This gap in physical evidence made the genetic approach taken in the study crucial for piecing together the Fulani’s historical narrative.
Genetic Diversity Reveals Cultural and Geographic Influences
The research team, which included geneticists from Uppsala University, uncovered compelling evidence of a diverse and complex genetic heritage among the Fulani people. The genetic data revealed correlations between the Fulani’s culture, geography, and genetics, showing that their genetic distribution mirrors their geographic spread across the African continent. This suggests that interactions with various local populations over time, including both pastoralists and sedentary agriculturalists, played a major role in shaping the Fulani’s genetic identity.
One of the most striking findings was the identification of a west-east genetic cline among Fulani populations. According to Mame Yoro Diallo, a Ph.D. candidate from Charles University, Prague, who contributed to the study, “Our analysis revealed genetic differences between local Fulani populations following a west-east cline, highlighting their complex genetic history, which was shaped by interactions with different local groups and various demographic events.” This genetic gradient likely reflects the Fulani’s historic movement across Africa, as well as their adaptation to different environmental conditions, such as the Sahel, savannah, and desert regions.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the influence of the Fulani’s nomadic pastoralist lifestyle on their genetic diversity. As the Fulani moved across vast distances in search of grazing land for their cattle, their interactions with different local groups, including other pastoralists and agricultural communities, left a lasting imprint on their genetic makeup. The mobility inherent to their way of life facilitated a blending of genes from various African populations, leading to the genetic diversity seen in Fulani groups today.
Tracing Genetic Roots to the Green Sahara Period
One of the most intriguing aspects of the study is its connection to the ancient history of Africa. The researchers found a genetic component common to all the Fulani populations studied, which could be linked to the early origins of African pastoralism. This genetic signature appears to trace back to the Green Sahara period, which occurred approximately 12,000 to 5,000 years ago, when the Sahara region was far more hospitable and supported a rich diversity of human and animal life.
The Green Sahara, also referred to as the African Humid Period, was a time of lush, fertile land in North Africa, where early African societies practiced pastoralism and agriculture. According to Carina Schlebusch, an evolutionary geneticist at Uppsala University and the study’s senior author, “Comparisons between genetic data of Fulani and ancient individuals identified the presence of a genetic component in all Fulani populations associated with ancient groups from North Africa, providing additional insights into their deep genetic history and ancient contacts, particularly with Moroccan populations such as the Berber.”
This shared genetic component strongly suggests that the Fulani, like many other groups in Africa, have ancestral links to the early pastoralist societies of North Africa. These ancient connections may explain the Fulani’s deep-rooted connection to pastoralism, a practice that has shaped their culture and identity for millennia.
Genetic Contributions from West, Central, and East Africa
In addition to the North African genetic component, the Fulani people also show evidence of significant genetic contributions from other regions of Africa. The study highlighted genetic influences from West, Central, and East African populations, underscoring the diverse interactions the Fulani have had with neighboring groups over the centuries.
As the Fulani moved across the Sahel and interacted with other communities, their genetic makeup was shaped by these exchanges. West African populations, such as those from the Hausa and Mandinka groups, contributed to the Fulani’s genetic pool, as did populations from Central Africa and East Africa, which had their own distinct genetic signatures.
Additionally, the study found evidence of trans-Saharan trade influencing the Fulani’s genetic composition. Over the last 500 years, trade routes that spanned the Sahara Desert facilitated the movement of people, goods, and ideas across North Africa and the Sahel. This trade brought different African groups into contact with the Fulani, further contributing to the diversity of their genetic makeup. The spread of Islam and pastoralism through these trade routes also played a role in the Fulani’s expansion and cultural development across Africa.
The Role of Fulani in African History and Society
The findings of this study offer more than just insights into the genetic history of the Fulani people—they also have broader implications for our understanding of African human diversity and the history of pastoralism in Africa. As the Fulani continue to play an important role in African society—especially in terms of agriculture, economics, and culture—understanding their genetic history can help researchers and policymakers better appreciate the cultural and biological diversity of Africa.
“During the last 500 years, the trans-Saharan trade could also have played a pivotal role in facilitating the development of extensive trade networks for the Fulani, further allowing the spread of pastoralism in Africa in different directions across the Sahel belt and beyond,” says Carina Schlebusch. This extensive trade network played a crucial role in spreading Fulani culture, language, and genetics across vast regions of Africa, solidifying their place as one of the continent’s most influential and widespread groups.
Conclusion
This study of the Fulani’s genetic diversity and ancestral origins offers a new chapter in the understanding of Africa’s rich and complex human history. Through the combination of genetic analysis and anthropological data, the research provides a detailed map of the Fulani’s migrations, cultural interactions, and the forces that have shaped their identity. It underscores the incredible genetic complexity of African populations and highlights the ways in which pastoralism, migration, and trade have played integral roles in the shaping of African societies.
The Fulani people, whose presence spans Africa’s Sahel, Savannah, and beyond, continue to offer a window into the deep history of human migration, cultural exchange, and genetic diversity. Their story is far from over, and as research continues to uncover the complexities of their origins, the Fulani will remain a key focus of studies on African genetics, culture, and history.
Reference: Cesar A. Fortes-Lima et al, Population history and admixture of the Fulani people from the Sahel, The American Journal of Human Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.12.015