PEULH: THE SCATTERS

PEULH: THE SCATTERS

Some say these people still live like at the beginning of the world'screation. To find them you must go far into the bush, further thanthe horizon, where the earth is hardly tainted by the footsteps of man.Here is where they have established their camps, facing the wide expanseof the savannah.

Photos and text by Florence Gaty/LigthMediation

1744-31: The yearly return of the herds from pasture. The shepherds must cross the Niger River with their cattle.

Contact - Thierry Tinacci - LightMediation Photo Agency +33 (0)6 61 80 57 21 email: [email protected]

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-01: Bénin. The Ardo has a central and important role inthe bosom of the tribe. He is the wise elder, and in charge of the move from one pasture ground to the

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-02: The freedom of these nomadic tribes. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-03: Fulani woman during her wedding ceremony /Mauritania /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-04: Make up and beauty are an art form in the lives of theFulani. / Benin /

1744-59: From the Senegal river, across Cameroon and to the banks of the Nile, the Fulani drive their herds. Their name "Fulbe" means "the scattered". Voyages and migration will always be part of these people. Theyfollow the path of their ancestors and thus keep their history alive.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-05: Young Fulani woman getting ready for her wedding. /Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-06: Young man applying Woudja: a preparation made ofleaves that softens the skin and gives a glowing complexion. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-07: The Borros apply blush made of red and yellowpigments, the polla. The polla is put on with much attention so that if correctly applied it will become

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-08: The Borros apply blush made of red and yellowpigments, the polla. The polla is put on with much attention so that if correctly applied it will become

1744-05: Young Fulani woman getting ready for her wedding. 1744-11: Dancing, chants and rhythms during wedding celebration. In the culture of these people, beauty isall important and is an art form. The women accomplish their beauty preparations with much premeditation.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-09: Young Borros man putting sumdinirdum on his lips; ablack powder made of crushed bird wings that gives them vibratory powers. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-10: A turban can measure up to 9 meters long. Only aperson of the same lineage can help the young man put on his turban. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-11: Dancing, chants and rhythms during weddingcelebration. In the culture of these people, beauty is all important and is an art form. The women

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-12: After a long preparation for the Yaaka (the openingdance of the Geerewol) the Fulani women, the spectators, discover the beauty of the Bororos men. / Niger

1744-38: Si une vache décède, la femme de camp deviendra la mère adoptive du veau et le nourrira jusqu'à l'age adulte. /// If a cow dies, a woman from the tribe will become the calf's adoptive mother and nurse it until itis able to fend for itself.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-13: Dancing, chants and rhythms during Adiza's weddingcelebration. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-14: Dancing, chants and rhythms during weddingcelebration. In the culture of these people, beauty is all important and is an art form. The women

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-15: The Yaake reveals the men's beauty: white teeth,high foreheads, and an aptitude at facial transformation. / Niger /


1744-21: In Niger, every year, young Woodabés gather around a majestic presentation. This yearly beauty contest is called the Guéréwol. These young men will be the ones to keep the word of the Pulaaku. Beforetheir elders they begin to chant. Barkal, this young man starts the chant. It is a deep and powerful chant born of the great plains and deserts that surround them and of their strong Fulani heritage. The young Woodabesthen rise on their tiptoes and back down. Their steps imitate the perfect circle of the calabash, symbol of abundance. The dust rises and sweat pearls on their skin. Night falls. The women join the circle and the dancing

takes on a feverish tempo. The chanting resonates and echoes in the night. Century old voices rise up to the sky.



Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-19: During the great celebration of the Bororos, the menmust show off their beauty to the women. The criteria for beauty are the same for all the Bororos: A soft


1744-48: To tell and retell the incredible adventures of these nomads who wander across desert and forest.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-21: In Niger, every year, young Woodabés gather arounda majestic presentation. This yearly beauty contest is called the Guéréwol. These young men will be the

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-22: To tell and retell the incredible adventures of thesenomads who wander across desert and forest. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-23: Storm on the camp. / Mali / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-24: Daily life: Milking takes place morning and evening. /Mali /

1744-01: Bénin. The Ardo has a central and important role in the bosom of the tribe. He is the wise elder,and in charge of the move from one pasture ground to the next. Today the Fulani are 6 to 8 millions,

1744-17: The Yaake reveals the men's beauty: white teeth, high foreheads, and an aptitude at facialtransformation.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-25: A Fulani Cow, the only wealth of these people. / Mali / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-26: A Fulani girl after borrowing her mother's make up. Young girls learn very early to dress and apply jewellery and make up /Benin / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-27: A school picture? No, simply a moments rest in frontof the camera for these children whose schooling is done by their parents according to the code of the

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-28: Elder shepherd, relayed by his descendants, givingfinal advice before the crossing. / Mali /

1744-14: Dancing, chants and rhythms during wedding celebration. In the culture of these people, beauty is all important and is an art form. The women accomplish their beauty preparations with much premeditation. The mirror is one of the only objects they revere.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-29: The yearly return of the herds from pasture. Theshepherds must cross the Niger River with their cattle. / Mali /




1744-20: The Yaake reveals the men's beauty: white teeth, high foreheads, and an aptitude at facial transformation.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-33: A Fulani Cow, the only wealth of these people. / Mali / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-34: The men travel over many kilometres of country insearch of pastures and watering holes for their herds. / Mali /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-35: Young woman breastfeeding her child. The Fulaniwoman is very respected as she giver of life. / Burkina Faso /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-36: Daily life. Milking: a treat for everyone! / Mauritania /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-37: Milk, sacred liquid of the Fulani. / Niger / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-38:If a cow dies, a woman from the tribe will become thecalf's adoptive mother and nurse it until it is able to fend for itself. / Mauritania /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-39: Milk, sacred liquid of the Fulani. / Mauritania / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-40: Market day: The Fulani women dress up on a regularbasis and not only for ceremonies. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-41: Fulani Bororos shepherd. / Niger / Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-42: Peulh charming. / Mauritania /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-43: Beauty and mystery of a young Bororos man. / Niger/

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-44: In Africa, the beauty of Fulani women invites thetelling of beautiful legends. / Mauritania /

1744-02: The freedom of these nomadic tribes.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-45: The gaze of the shepherd: Behind this steely look liea noble and prideful people. / Mali /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-46: Market day: The Fulani women dress up on a regularbasis and not only for ceremonies. / Burkina Faso /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-47: Even during migration when they are far from thevillages, Fulani women are always elegantly dressed. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-48: To tell and retell the incredible adventures of thesenomads who wander across desert and forest. / Benin /

1744-42: Peulh charming.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-49: Young Shepherd. Youngs boys are initiate to thepastoral life at Five years old. / Mauritania /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-50: The Fulani, nomads, undeniably attached to theirfreedom. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-51: The men travel over many kilometres of country insearch of pastures and watering holes for their herds. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-52: Shepherd of the sun. / Niger /

1744-43: Beauty and mystery of a young Bororos man. 1744-35: Young woman breastfeeding her child. The Fulani woman is very respected as she giver of life.

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-53: Adiza the day of her wedding, going to the marigot topurify the gourds that will hold the food for the guests. Adiza will show her face only to her new husband

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-54: Landscape where Fulani women get water. Othersacred liquid. / Benin /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-55: Adiza the day of her wedding, going to the marigot topurify the gourds that will hold the food for the guests. Adiza will show her face only to her new husband

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-56: Young Lady Woddabe. / Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-57: The gaze of the shepherd: Behind this steely look liea noble and prideful people./ Niger /

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-58: At the break of day after her wedding, the Fulaniwoman ascends to the role of mistress of the milky way. As soon as she becomes a mother, she is as the

Peuls: les éparpillés - Peulh: the scatters / 1744-59: From the Senegal river, across Cameroon and to thebanks of the Nile, the Fulani drive their herds. Their name "Fulbe" means "the scattered". Voyages and

1744-32: The yearly return of the herds from pasture. The shepherds must cross the Niger River with their cattle.

Peulh: thescatters...

Some say these people still live like at thebeginning of the world's creation. To findthem you must go far into the bush, furtherthan the horizon, where the earth is hardlytainted by the footsteps of man. Here iswhere they have established their camps,facing the wide expanse of the savannah. These men and women, who we call the"Fulani", guard their liberty, far from thesedentary population. The Fulani call the settled populations"those with limited horizon."The Fulani are deeply rooted to theirancient nomadic heritage: their longhorned cows are their pride. It is for thesebeasts that they move constantly insearch of water and better pastures. "It isa mutual offering" affirm the Fulani, "amore harmonious relationship does notexist than that of man and cow." Thecows offer their milk, and meat duringsacrifices and man protects them." Theshepherd secretly guards the mystery thatlinks him to his herd and for whom he isready to give his life. If a lion, panther orman appears to kill or steal his cows, theshepherd will fight to death if necessary tosave his beasts. When alone and isolatedin the middle of blackest night, theshepherd lights two fires; one for his herdand one for himself. The flames are hisonly screen, his only protection from theunpredictable world that surrounds him. Any and every shadow that crosses thelight of his fires can mean danger and canbe life threatening. The only cure for hisinsomnia is courage. Nomad, his only baggage are gourds,

earthenware pots, a couple of mats, and abasket for his makeup, jewellery, andamulets. His memory is his only souvenir. He buries his dead and never returns tothe grave. The Fulani shepherd wishes tostay free. He advances with respectthrough the pristine world of savannahs,forests, and deserts. He traverses areas ofthe world that seem hostile to us withelegance, dignity and pride. Surroundedby nature, the Fulani knows it well andfeast on its beauty. He listens to the birds,the animals, the sounds of nature thatsurround him constantly and understandsits secret language. The Fulani follow thecycles of birth and death and live honestlywith them day after day. He braves allclimate change that the sun and moonimpose on him; the "shepherd of the sun"(1) The Fulani follow the same paths ofmigration as did their ancestors: thelaawol fulfulde. They are guided by thepastoral code: the Pulaaku. At the age of5, already the young shepherd learns thebehaviour expected of him in front ofstrangers. Reserve, self control, andhumility are the foundations of their codeof conduct. Temperance, courage andintelligence are also part of theirphilosophy. The Fulani must also controland overcome any feelings of shame inorder to receive respect and pardon.According to them, "mans most noblequality; his real strength and force is totrust in providence." (2) As long as theherd is safe, this nomad has the heart andsoul of a nobleman. In the intimacy ofcamp, his haughty appearance andreserve vanish and there appears a manwho jests and laughs easily. The Fulanipossess these virtues worthy of a nomad:obstinacy, hospitality, and courage. Tolive a time by his side is to follow thebeautiful and timeless traditions of the

Sahel. The priorities are the same at the heart ofeach clan: the well being of the herd. Menand women each carry out their roles. Incertain clans, it is the women who milk thecows, in others the men. The womenorganize the day and meals of theshepherds as they ready to leave for thebush. The men delay in order to tie up thecalves too young for the long walk ahead. The herd stamps and moos awaiting thedeparture. Dust from their hooves rises tothe sky. The clearing fills with the soundof the cattle's impatient and nervouslowing. They will return with the gloaming. The women meanwhile will walk for hoursto the nearest village to sell or exchangethe milk of their cows. Calabash held highon their heads they walk proudly todestination. Once the milk is sold, theybuy condiments, treats for their childrenand cloth or jewels to complete theirfinery. But they must hurry back in time togreet their men, and to offer them foodand rest. After dinner, the clan unites under thestars and around the campfire. Tea ismade, and stories and riddles are told:What is the smell that even the wind cannot efface?? What goes forward andnever backward?? What tears are themost precious...? The children participateuntil sleep overcomes them. The herdassembles around the men, women andchildren as soon as everyone is calm andseated. Free cattle, but undeniablyattached to man. Before "joining" sleep,the women clean up camp. The men mixwith the herd and pronounce the lastincantations of the day. The Fulani people are inhabited by acomplex culture. Their beliefs arenumerous. Their lineage is vast and

tortuous and is often lost in interminableparchments. Their multiple identities areoften disconcerting. "Their path overflowswith gray areas and shadows." (3) Theirorigin is still a mystery, which gives birth toendless discussions and pages of writtensupposition. After so many endless voyages the Fulanifind themselves scattered from the banksof the Senegal River to the banks of theNile. There are migrations happeningbetween Nigeria and Cameroon, Beninand the banks of the Senegal River, andfrom there to Lake Chad. How many moreyears will these migrations continue? Two,three, five years at best? Today theFulani people find them selves squeezedbetween the advance of the Sahara andthe growing amounts of cultivated land. As they return from their migrations, theyfind land rendered fertile by their cowsmanure, occupied by farmers. More andmore watering holes are disappearingbecause of drought. The Fulani have noright of ownership on any piece of land.These nomads have for centuriesprovided Africa they crossed with milk ofvery good quality. But since 2004 theEuropean Union has started importing291000 tons of freeze dried milk. Thismilk when mixed with impure water oftencauses dysentery. This milk is sent to theregions where the Fulani live at pricesimpossible to compete with. But despiteall this the Fulani remain proud and willcontinue to inspire many stories andlegends. "The Fulani are surprising mix. White river in the country of black waters;black river in the country of white waters,enigmatic people that capriciousmeanderings have brought from the risingsun, to be spread from east to west andalmost everywhere." (2)

(1) Jean-Marie Mathieu - (2) Amadou

Captions.

01 : Ardo is the old man of the camp, thechief of the transhumance. Today, Fulbesare between 6 to 20 millions peoplethrough 7000 kms. Our origine should beof the desertification of the Sahara, 5millennium before the present / Benin.

02 : Freedom of peulh, endless nomads /Niger.

03 : Pullo's women at her weedind day /Mauritania.

04 : The make up, the beauty is an artwithin of Peulh / Benin.

05 : Young Lady Peulh who's preparing forher weddind / Benin.

06 : Yound man to apply to put "Woudja".It's a trees leaves-based product to softenthe skin / Niger.

07 / 08 : Bororos (Peulh of Niger) make uptheir's face with red or yellox pigments :the Polla. They put the Polla with of the lotattention, correctly applicate, the polla willbe phosphorescent at night / Niger.

09 : Yong man Bororo make up his lipswith "Sumdinirdum". It's a black powdermade with wings birds crushing who willgive him the vibratil propriety from the bird/ Niger.

10 : The turban is long as 9 metres. Onlya person of his family can help the youngman to put it / Niger.

11 / 14 : Beauty is the essence of life forthese people. Peulh consacred most ofthe time of beauty. It's a art. Women have

done the preparation in a sacred order,with elegance and slowness, signs ofdistinction. They know and they are /Benin.

12 : After a long preparation for theYaaka (open's dance of the Geerewol),Bororos oftering their face to the public /Niger.

13 : The dance, the sings will give rhythmto the wedding to Adiza / Benin.

15 - 18 : The Yaake reveals the men'sbeauty: white teeth, high foreheads, andan aptitude at facial transformation.

19 / 20 : Geerewol is a greatest meeting ofPeulh Bororo. During this party only menare making up and dressing. It's a beautyparade. Within Peulh, the criterion ofbeauty is the same. The voice has to besoft, talk strongly mean's people have notself contol. The body has to be fine,slender and lithe. The eyes and teephhave to be white / Niger.

21 : Every year, in Niger, the woodabesare meeting for a masjectic ceremony.They come for the remarkable beautyrewards. They call this ceremony "theGeerewol" . Geerewol is perpetrate by thesings and the beauty of all young men,who will stand up proudly behind the sunand the older. Barkal, this yound man, sing thegathering. It's a singing who's borningthrough the silence desert, strong andpuissant as the Peulh culture whosenothing will change. Young men, danceant turn arround him. They'will dance allover the night. Women come at thebegining of the nigth to choice husband. And the fiewer starting. The singingsresonate in the desert. It's a siecle of voicewho's rising in the land.

22 : Tell and Tell again the aventure ofthis scatter who migrate through thedesert too the forests / Benin.

23 : Storm

24 : The milkind has been twice a day,morning and evening, except durind thedry season .

25 : Cows, are the only richess of thisnomades / Mali.

26 : smartness of a little girl Peul / Benin.

27 : Most of children Peulhs are not goingto school. But they're parents teach themthe "Pulakuu"/ Benin.

28 : This man was a shepherd, today isgive advertissment to young men who willcross for the first time / Mali.

29 - 32 : Shepherds are coming back fortranshumance. They're crossing theNiger's river with their's herd / Mali.

33 : Cows, are the only richess of thisnomades. The frienship between herd andmen is sacred : it's life.

34 : Men's will cover many kilometers toget grass and water for their's herd.

35 : Lady who feed her baby. The womenPeulh are considered and resectedbecause they give life / Burkina Faso.

36 :

37 : Milk is a sacred liquid within Peulh.

38 : If a cow die , the wife's Ardo has tofeed the calf / Mauritania.

39 : Milk is a sacred liquid within Peulh.

40 : Market's day, Peulh's women arealways make up and beautiful. Beauty is arituel...

41 : Shepherd of the sun.

42 : Peul charming.

43 : Beauty is the essence of life for thesepeople / Niger.

44 : In Africa and over this continent,Peulh women giving birth to a beautifullegends.

45 : A glance of Peulh man. Behing thislook, the Peulh have a soul of great lord /Mali.

46 : Market's day, Peulh's women arealways make up and beautiful. Beauty is arituel...

47 : Even during the transhumance, PeulhWomen are always elegants. Benin

48 : Tell and Tell again the aventure ofthis scatter who migrate through thedesert too the forests.

49 : Young shepherd. Children's boy willlearn to be a shepherd at 5 year's old /Mauritania.

50 : Peulhs, endless nomads, undeniablyattached are their freedom / Niger.

51 : Men's will cover many kilometers toget grass and water for their's herd.

52 : Shepherd of the sun.

53 / 55: Adiza at her wedding's day. Shewill not show her face except at night at

her husband. Except also for the picture /Benin.

54 : landscape where Fulani women getwater. Other sacred liquid.

56 : Young Lady Woddabe.

57 : A glance of Peulh man. Behing thislook, the Peulh have a soul of great lord.Niger

58 : At the dawn of their weddings and fortheir whole life the women are raisesstature amongst to Peul to "Mistress of themilky power". They receive the gratulationof this grade. All the milk from the herd willbe our. She will sell it or change againtscereals. With the money they will get, theywill buy jewellery. Their's husband will beproud, that's mean they are goodssherpherds : they find the good land andwater for their's cows. And Cow's producta lot of milk... The beauty of womensymbolise the success of their wedding.This woman wear a gold jewel. Gold withinPeulh symbolise the sun / Mali.

59 : From the Senegal river, acrossCameroon and to the banks of the Nile,the Fulani drive their herds. Their name"Fulbe" means "the scattered". Voyagesand migration will always be part of thesepeople. They follow the path of theirancestors and thus keep their historyalive.

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PEULH: THE SCATTERS