Peul (Fulani, Fulbe, Fula) herder and nobleman with traditional wide-brimmed fibre-and-leather conical hat, headed to the weekly market outside Djenné's Great Mosque, Niger River inland delta, central Mali, West Africa.
This Peul herdsman is likely from the class of “free nobles” (mostly nomadic herders, religious and political leaders, some tradesmen and sedentary cultivators) at the top of a highly stratified caste-based Peul society.
Ethnographers distinguish this class from lower-tiered occupational groups or “castes” (griot story tellers and song-praisers, artisans, blacksmiths, potters, woodworkers, dress makers) and descendants of slaves (labourers, brick makers, house builders).
Digital film scan, Asahi Pentax Spotmatic (SMC Pentax Zoom 45~125mm f/4), shot directly under the noonday sun, circa 1976. explore#23
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