The Gibsons online blog

The month of March saw un spectacle the likes of Djibo had not seen before. The word given to it by the local Fulani was Finatawa Fulbe (translated, the traditions of the Fulani). Now from my experience the Fulani are not only a very proud people but they seem to experience shame at every turn and so they come across as being very reserved and somewhat aloof. To have groups of young Fulani, therefore, come to an event such as this to perform in public, in daylight was quite an achievement.

There was the usual police presence keeping the crowds of children in line with their usual persuasive methods. Musket rifles seemed to be being set off at various intervals making one jump out of ones skin and always wondering if anybody had actually been shot by accident. The young Fulani performers came from many surrounding villages and towns and as they approached the arena they were greeted like superstars as people crowded around them to here these unique sounds that were normally reserved for special occasions. The secret music of the bush Fulani had finally come to town.