For generations, many Fulani people across northern Nigeria have avoided eating goat meat.
This existing tradition is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, historical influences, and concerns about health.
Despite the fact that goat meat is widely consumed across Nigeria, Fulani communities in states such as Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Gombe continue to reject it.
This belief has been passed down from one generation to the next, shaping dietary habits within the community.
The reasons for this avoidance vary.
Some Fulani elders trace the practice back to Usmanu Danfodiyo, the renowned Islamic scholar and leader of the 19th-century Sokoto Caliphate.
According to oral history, Danfodiyo and his followers refrained from eating goat meat, and many of their descendants have upheld this tradition ever since.
Others argue that goats are considered unclean animals because they eat indiscriminately, unlike cows and sheep, which Fulani herders traditionally rear.
Goats are often seen scavenging, making their meat less desirable in the eyes of many Fulani.
Some also believe that eating goat meat can lead to health issues.
Malam Abdullahi, a resident of Kano, shared his perspective:
“Our elders warned us that goat meat could cause diseases like leprosy and asthma.
We grew up with this belief, and I personally cannot bring myself to eat it.”
Similarly, Musa Muhammad, another resident, explained;
“Goats eat anything, including dirty things.
That is why many Fulani believe their meat is not good for consumption.”
These beliefs have persisted for generations, despite the fact that medical experts have dismissed them.
Nutritionists affirm that goat meat is a healthy source of protein, packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
However, these scientific facts have done little to change long-held perceptions.
Umar Garba, a butcher in Bauchi, highlighted the strong adherence to this tradition;
“Even if you serve goat meat unknowingly, a Fulani person will recognize its taste immediately and refuse to eat it.”
While some younger Fulani individuals are beginning to question this practice, many still choose to uphold it out of respect for their elders and cultural heritage.
For now, the tradition remains firmly ingrained in Fulani society.