Their
Fulfulde language is closely related to the languages of Senegal, suggesting the
possibility that their ancestors migrated from the Middle East through North
Africa to Senegal. By the 10th century, they had adopted a new language in
Senegal and begun to spread eastward, reaching present-day Nigeria by about the
14th century. Fulfulde is classified as being a member of the West Atlantic
group of Sudanic languages.
![Nigeria - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ni-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Niger - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ng-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Cameroon - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/cm-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Chad - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/cd-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Senegal - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/sg-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Ghana - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/gh-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Berkina Faso - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/uv-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Benin - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/bn-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Guinea Bissau - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/pu-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Central African Republic - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/ct-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Sudan - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/su-flag.gif){kind=small}
![Slovenia - Click for Information]](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/flags/sl-flag.gif){kind=small}