The Fulani (or Fulbe as they are known) have played an influential role in regional politics, economics, and histories throughout Western Africa for over a thousand years. They are the largest nomadic people group in the world and largely responsible for the introducing and  the spread of Islam throughout much of Western Africa.

Today, however, many of the Fulani are having to exchange there nomadic way of life for a more sedentary existence due to drought caused by climate change and an increasing competitiveness for land. Although the Fulani tenaciously hold to their traditions they are having to face up to the realities of change lest they become increasingly more marginalised than they already are.

The word Finaatawaa finds its root in two words, finude (to waken or to be born) and the word tawude (to find) and caries the meaning of where one is found in the world both culturally, geogr-aphical and economically. The Fulani people place high value on their cultural traditions and the festival Finaatawaa Fulbe , held in the town of Djibo, is a celebration and reminder of the Fulani's rich heritage.

If you were to visit a Fulani village on an average day you wouldn't find the women dressed so spectacularly. If, on the other hand, you were to turn up at a traditional Fulani wedding or an even such as this one then your eyes would be me with a feast of colour. These girls come from a village about 10 km out of Djibo and are hoping that their villages display of traditional music and dress will win them first prize in the Town Finaatawaa Fulbe competition. If it were not  for a monetary allure then I think it would be very difficult to bring these traditionally reserved people into the public eye.