The Fula people or Fulani / Fulbe are Africa’s most influential tribe.
They are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa, Egypt and Sudan in North Africa. The Fulani are traditionally a nomadic, pastoralist, trading people, herding cattle, goats and sheep. Beginning as early as the 17th and 18th centuries, but mainly in the 19th century, Fulanis and others took control of various states in West Africa.
Today Fulanis are found in almost every major city of the world including Australia. The majority of Australia’s Fulanis are from West Africa and are part of Australia’s migrant resettlement program.
Keeping alive their tradition is integral part of the Fulani wherever he goes. The Fulanis of the state of New South Wales (NSW) were the first to setup and incorporate a Fulani organisation in Australia. In 2002 Bantal Pulaar (Promotion of Fulani culture) Community Association was incorporated in the state of NSW.
This was followed by their counterparts in Western Australia (WA) who incorporated Gortankaku (Togetherness) Community Association in 2004, Fullah Friends of South Australia (SA) Association in 2008, Musidal Brisbane, in Queensland (QLD), Modiobere Victoria (VIC), and Haldi Fotti Canberra and Regions in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are active organisations in the community and in the process of getting incorporated.
Driven by the desire to work together in promoting the Fulani community in Australia, representatives of the different state/territory organisations met in 2011 and decided to setup a national umbrella body. This gave birth to Fulbe Australia.
In 2012 the first National Fulbe Conference was held in Sydney, NSW hosted by Bantal Pulaar Community Association. This was followed by Modiobereh Victoria hosting the 2016 Fulbe national conference and Fullah Friends South Australia are playing host to the 2017 Fulbe national conference.
