Beginning as early as the 17th and 18th centuries, but mainly in the 19th century, Fulas and others took control of various states in West Africa. Fulani have been influential in regional politics, economics, and histories throughout western Africa for over a thousand years. They played a significant role in the rise and fall of the Mossi states in Burkina and also contributed to the migratory movements of people southward through Niger and Nigeria into Cameroon. They were also responsible for introducing and spreading Islam throughout much of western Africa.

The Bagirmi Fulani are sub-group of the much larger Fulani, a tribe that is spread across much of West Africa. The Bagirmi Fulani are a branch of the Fulani who occupy the Bagirmi region of south-central Chad. They have also spread eastward and are now in parts of the Central African Republic, in which, about 201 thousands of Bagirmi Fulani are there. They speak in Bagirmi Fulfulde.

Combining agriculture with herding, the Bagirmi Fulani are semi-sedentary herdsmen. Unlike some other Fulani groups whose families travel with them, the Bagirmi Fulani maintain a home where they live for half the year. During the dry season, when grazing ground and water are scarce, they take their cattle from the homestead in search of greener pastures. The head of the family, along with his wives and younger children, usually stay at home and tend to a small herd and the crops. In this way, they can be rewarded and enriched by both herding and agriculture. At the markets, the Bagirmi Fulani trade their dairy products. Many times the Fulani go to local markets and interact with the people, getting news and spreading it. In between markets they occasionally visit one another in their homes. The Fulani are an extremely hospitable people. They greet visitors warmly and go to great lengths to make a guest feel welcome. It is not uncommon for the visitor to leave from the visit with a chicken or some other small gift from the host.

Many of the men have multiple wives. Since cattle are a symbol of wealth among the Fulani, brides are sometimes chosen because of the amount of cattle they own. In addition to cattle, there are some other things that seen as valuable for the Fulani, they are family, morality and beauty.

A distinctive difference between the Fulani and other African people is that the Fulani have a huge respect for beauty. Beauty is considered very important and one of the ways this is shown is through tattoos that are put all over the body. A distinguishing feature of a Fulani woman is her lips, which are many times a blackish color from the use of Henna or tattooing done on the mouth.

Being brave and fearless is also a very important aspect of the Fulani, and that is obvious by their numerous weapons. One tradition is that when two boys reach coming of age, the two boys hit each other with their spears, not showing any pain but instead laughing. Many have died in these ceremonies, which are now against the law in many countries, but continue to be practiced.

The Fulani were one of the first groups in Africa to convert to Islam. Today, the Bagirmi are almost exclusively Muslim. They are very proud of that they are the missionaries of Islam and continued to conquer much of West Africa. Although they adhere very strongly to the tenants of Islam, it has been surprising to find a high level of belief that certain people possess supernatural powers, and they still continue to practice many of their old Fulani traditions.

Only 0.1% of Bagirmi Fulanis are known as Christians. Bible has not yet been translated into their language. Other gospel resources are also limited for them.

• The Fulani continue to be strongly committed to their current religion and worldview. Change is quite difficult and usually occurs slowly. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send dedicated missionaries to live and work among them.
• Ask Lord to stop the ceremony of young boy fighting. Pray that God will reveal Himself to them and show them the values of brave and fearless are come from the love of Christ instead of weapons and attack.
• Pray for translation of the Bible and other gospel resources to begin in this people group's primary language.

• http://www.joshuaproject.net
• Missonpathyway, http://www.missionpathway.org/mpData/topic.cgi?imgdate=112602
• The Africa guide, http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/fulani.htm
• http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Fulani.html
• http://www.byhisgrace.cc/fulani/profile.htm
• http://webspace.webring.com/people/pk/kafat/Language4c.html
• Glogal Prayer Digest, http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Bagirmi-Fulbe-People/