Soro: A Fulani Cultural Initiation Practice

In 1992, the Department of French at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, asked students to write a thesis "in partial fulfillment" of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree. We were thus the pioneers of this academic exercise. I decided to write about the soro. Upon arriving at Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey for my study abroad year, I began gathering data for the project. I met Dr. Julde Layya, who encouraged me and provided me with documents and very useful advice to help me realize my dream: a thesis on Fulani culture; that dream has blossomed into a document now available to the public. This book, *Soro: A Fulani Cultural Initiation Practice-A Sociocultural Study*, has two fundamental objectives: to contribute to the revitalization of Fulani culture in particular and African culture in general. This means it serves as a tool for reflection in academic circles and a source of entertainment at home or while traveling; and to contribute to the emerging French-language literature in Nigeria, particularly for teaching in graduate schools.