Spanning 17 African countries, the Fulani people – Africa’s largest pastoralist group – have long intrigued researchers due to their complex cultural heritage and nomadic lifestyle. A new study has now revealed fascinating insights into their genetic history. The study uncovered that Fulani populations share a common genetic background shaped by centuries of migration and interaction with diverse African groups. It highlights the Fulani’s deep ancestral connections to both North and West Africa, reinforcing their ties to these regions. The study also unveiled genetic traits that aid the Fulani’s pastoral lifestyle, such as the ability to digest milk into adulthood—likely due to their dairy-based pastoral economy—and resistance to malaria from living in the Sahel belt.
Source: The Conversation
