Cattle Rearer
Date: 1999 ; Nigeria , Nigeria in terms of modern geography
Art form: Painting
Dimensions: 30 X 68 cm (11.81 X 26.77 in)
Cattle Rearer
This particular painting was done years ago of which depicted the normadic way of life of the Fulani. The Fulani herdsmen or Fulani pastoralists are nomadic or semi nomadic Fulani herders whose primary occupation is raising livestock.The pure Fulani pastoralist engages in random movement of cattle while the semi-nomadic makes transhumance migration and return to their camps or homes.The Fulani herdsmen are largely located in the Sahel and semi arid parts of West Africa but due to changes in climate patterns many herdsmen have moved further south into the savannah and tropical forest belt of West Africa. The herdsmen are found in countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon. In Senegal they inhabit northeastern Ferlo and the southeastern part of the country. In many of these countries the Fula often constitute a minority group.
In Nigeria. the livestock supplied by the herdsmen provide a bulk of the beef consumption in the country.
Herding system
A pastoral Fulani family is the traditional herding unit. Tasks are divided by gender and age among the members of the family.The main work of men is to manage the herd, find grazing sites, build tents and camps and make security tools such as knives, bow and arrows and guns. Women in the unit take on traditional roles such as sourcing food produce in the market, milking cows, weaving and mat making. Some women are also involved in farming such as growing vegetables and raising poultry.
Cattle is the dominant composition of the Fulani herd in countries such as Nigeria and camel is the least liked animal.The livestock is largely female with close to 60% of cattle being female, the male species are usually reduced by selling them.
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