Fula survival kit

In context: 5 scenes to get by

Cultural notes

1. Greeting is sacred among the Fulbe. An encounter always begins with a series of questions: health, family, work, journey. The standard answer is "Jam tan" (peace only), even when things are difficult. Cutting the greeting short is very poorly received.
2. "On jaaraama" is a respectful plural greeting: used to greet a group or a person of authority (village chief, elder). To greet a single individual without particular deference, "No ngoolu daa" is enough.
3. Most Fulbe are Muslim. The greeting "Asalaamu alaikum" (peace be upon you) is very common, alongside or replacing Fula greetings. The reply is "Wa alaikum salaam".
4. Pulaaku is the Fula code of honor, based on modesty (semteende), patience (munyal) and self-control (hakkilo). Avoiding loud public displays of emotion, speaking softly and keeping your composure are appreciated.
5. Fula is written in the Latin alphabet with special letters: ɓ (implosive b), ɗ (implosive d), ŋ (velar n), ɲ (gn). There is also the Adlam alphabet, created in 1989, and Ajami (Fula written in Arabic script), still used in some regions.
6. Dialects vary by region: Pulaar in Senegal and Mauritania, Pular in Guinea (Futa Jallon), Maasina Fulfulde in Mali, Fulfulde of Nigeria and Cameroon. Mutual understanding remains possible, but greetings and some words change.
7. The Fulbe are historically a pastoral people, and cattle (zebu, cows) remain central to the culture. Asking a Fula herder about his herd is an excellent ice-breaker, but never photograph animals or people without prior agreement.
8. Meals are traditionally taken on the ground around a large shared plate, eaten with the right hand only. Wash your hands before and after the meal. Refusing to share a meal, even a little, can be seen as rejecting hospitality.