Fulani boys with herd --- image credit from the source

Growing up as a child, we were told in tales that the Fulani tribe speaks to their cattle and sheep; and that’s why they easily control large herds of cattle and sheep. As a child, I never really gave it a thought until this experience.

In a hot evening, sitting under a mango tree beside my apartment to enjoy the natural breeze as we normally do during very hot days. There is a stream just a distance from the Estate that the residents share with the beasts; a cool and greenish weather for us and a watering trough for the beasts. A herd of cattle and sheep herded by a 10years old Fulani boy marched from the other side of the stream to drink from the stream and come over to our side as their journey continues. The mammals were quite healthy, this I inferred by their fat and well-nourished look.

The sheep drank first and crossed the stream and came to sight first, before the cattle. While the cattle were still drinking, the sheep were almost leaving the herd. The Fulani boy spoke to the sheep and they halted. Seriously! I was amazed! His language and immediate response of the sheep struck me, so I beckoned the young boy and asked; what did you just say to the sheep? He giggled and replied, “I told them to stop and wait for others”. They actually stood still. Then I asked further, how do they understand and obey you? With smiles, he answered, “we (the Fulani) have a language with which we speak to them, they understand it and obey us”. The sheep waited until the cattle crossed stream, then the boy instructed them again and the herd continued their journey.

At this point, I remembered the tales from my childhood; but now, they are no longer tales. Witnessing this gracious scene myself was something memorable and inspiring. I will not forget this scene for a along time.