The origin of the Fuliiru people, like that of many ethnic groups in the Great Lakes region of Africa, is complex and multifaceted, shaped by factors such as migration, colonization, and conflict. The Fuliiru are believed to have originated from the Bantu-speaking people who migrated from the West-Central Africa as part of the Bantu Migration to Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. Most, however, are descended from Bantu groups that had settled in Southeast Africa after the initial expansion from Nigeria/Cameroon and settled in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the 16th century. By the mid-1700s, the Bafuliru people had established a significant presence in the region surrounding Lake Tanganyika, specifically in the mountainous hinterland of South Kivu along the Ulindi River. Their migration to this area was likely influenced by a variety of factors, including changes in climate and agricultural patterns, as well as conflicts and social pressures in their previous settlements.
