ABSTRACT
The system of Fulbe inheritance differs in some particulars from the system which is held to have obtained during the 'Time of War'. The Fulbe system of inheritance, strictly speaking, follows neither the 'traditional' system nor the system prescribed by Maliki Law. The Native Authority argues that, if there is court settlement of inheritance, not only will the courts increase their revenue, but also the number of inheritance disputes among the Fulbe will be reduced. Fulbe are averse, for various reasons, from having questions of inheritance settled by the courts. Most pastoralists are fully aware that, according to Islam, they are obliged to settle inheritance cases in the courts and according to specific rules. Whatever principle of inheritance is applied in practice, only a small proportion of cattle are transmitted by inheritance in each generation. It is clear that the pattern of inheritance has undergone, and is still undergoing, change.
