Pastoralists of the West African Savanna

Book excerpt: Originally published in 1986, this volume deals with various aspects of the life of the pastoralists who live in the area between what was Senegambia and Cameroon. It analyses the changing relations between pastoralists and agricultural peoples, and the changes that pastoral societies are undergoing with urbanisation, increased central government control and the spread of market relations. The papers are in both English and French and include historical studies of aspects of the history of Adamawa, the Fulani, the Twareg, the Shuwa Arabs and the Koyam in pre-colonial times. There is also a survey of the state of Fula language studies and the variety of Fula literature; discussions of the changing nature of pastoralism and the nomadic way of life in Cameroon, Senegal and Nigeria, including the effects of drought.