ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to indicate some of the more important aspects of the annual cycle of movements followed by the Fulbe and their herds. Primarily their transhumance may be viewed as an ecological adaptation, the object of which is to secure the best conditions for the herds in the varying physio-climatic conditions found in the yearly cycle. Fulbe divide the year into five seasons, each of which has a distinctive type of weather. These include rumirde, 'yawirde, dabirde, chedirde, and setinirde. While the Fulbe give their primary interest to their cattle, their herds are not always of sufficient size for them to be entirely pastoral as they would prefer. Fulbe who enter the rumirde after the gero harvest leave their cattle at a camp in the bush about a mile or more from the farm during the growing season and the harvest.
