NUBA-FULAH RACE

[s. 566] : A very considerable number of tribes, some in Egyptian Sudan, and some over against them on the west coast of North Central Africa, are found to differ so much, both linguistically and ethnographically, from the several races into which the Africans have been heretofore divided, that some of the ablest recent writers on these subjects, such as F. Mtiller and Dr. R. N. Oust, have added a new cla or group, with two sub-groups, which they call Nuba and Fulah. This twofold race, Nuba-Fulah, is evidently very ancient doubt- — aboriginal in the lower basin le of the Nile, which still continues to be the headquarters It of the Nuba portion of the general group. finally came to have its headquarters in the lower basin of the Senegal, and there came to be known as the Filatah, Fuladu, Pulah, or Fulah people, being so called because they were brown, and thus in strong contrast with the Negroes of a purer black around them. The present scattered or fragmentary condition of a light of the Nuba-Fulah race, a. portion of it being found on the east of Victoria Nyanza, as the Kwafi and Masai, other portions on the sources of each of the two Niles, and yet other portions in diilerent parts of the Sudan, aH the way from Darfur to the Senegal, or in groups here and there among the mid-African tribes, all goes to support the idea that the original Nuba-Fulah race was broken and scattered, as already indicated, by the divisive and propelling force of another powerful race, like the Bantu, at an early age of African history. One important branch of the Nuba stock still has its home in the original abode of the race the basin of the Nile from the first to the second cataract. represents The earliest account we have of them them as a powerful, superior race, good features, not so dark on the northern border as farther south, and quite distinct from both the Egyptian and the Negro. They were once Christians, but now, like all their neighbors, profe the Muslim faith, and speak, some the Arabic, and some their own vernacular language. of 549 Some live as nomads in tents, and some as a settled, industrious, thriving people, in well built houses. There is also a tribe or group of tribes, evidently related to the Nuba family in and language, in Kordofan and Darfur. They differ from the Negroes around them, believe in Islam, and speak, some of them, what is called the Koldagi dialect, some of them the Tumale, and some the Konjara. Other tribes of this cla , as the Kwafi and Masai, who call themselves Loikob, and designate their language as the Enguduk, are found on The Kwafi have the or near the equator. Victoria Nyanza on their west and the Masai Both tribes, differing mate on their south. rially, as they do, from the Hamitic race on the north, and from the Bantu on other sides, are counted as belonging to the Nuba-Fulah group. They are represented as the most savage of all both blood Still another group East African tribes. of such as the Berta and Kamail, belonging to the Nuba-Fulah race, has its home on the Blue Nile, north of the Gallas and west of Aby in i a. In this race are included also the NyamNyam, together with the Golo and the Mon but to on the sources of the White Nile and the tribes, Shary. Turning now and going westward between 10° and 15° of north latitude, we come upon several families of the sub-Fulah group, scattered here and there all along from Darfur through the Hausa and Mandingo countries, till we come to where they abound in Bundu, the Futa Jalo, and Futa Toro, south of Lower Senegal, where “they dominate,” says Dr. Gust, “as Mohammedan foreign conquerors. They have placed their foot firmly down in the land of the Wolof, and the people of the coast have come under their influence as far as the river Nunez. They are numerous and power kingdom of ful in Man dingo land and in the Ma in a, south of Timbuktu. The kingdom of Sokoto and Gando is their creation, including the whole of the Hausa-speaking territory. Far to the east we find them in Bornu, Mandara Logon, Baghirmi, Wadai, and even in Darfur. Their tendency to expand is not on the wane, and they have made a powerful impre ion on the Negro population; from the union of the two races a mixed population has sprung up called Torodo, Jhalonki, Toucouleur, and other names.” It is unnece ary here to detail their I’heir history or speculate on their origin. movement has been comparatively of late date, by force of arms, and coupled with the spread of the Mohammedan religion. They are spoken of by a recent writer as “an interesting Mohammedan people of the Western Sudan in Africa, remarkable for their enterprise, intelligence, and religious zeal. They are a race, and not a nation; have tribes, several shades of color and varieties of form, probably from the fact that they have blended with various subject races. learning They cultivate many Mohammedan with much enthusiasm.. Their history is quite obscure. Sokoto is their principal state, but many are the predominant people of countries in the Sudan.” Very little mi ion work of a Protestant Christian character has been as yet done or even attempted for any part of this race; but the eyes of not a few are on the great region they occupy, with high purpose and hope of reaching them soon. they Nott, Henry Nnsairlyeli NUEVO LAREDO: A town in Mexico, situated on the right bank of the Rio Grande, opposite Laredo, Texas. Station of the American BapHome Mi ionary Society, with (1900) 1 mi ionary and his wife, 2 orphanages, 1 place of worship, 1 Sunday school, and 28 profe ed tist Christians. 567