Niger Celebrates Zarma-Songhai and Dendi Peoples' Culture

The Republic of Niger is a country in West Africa. With an area of over 1.2 million square kilometers, Niger is the largest country in West Africa and the 22nd largest in the world. The capital, Niamey, lies on the Niger River. The country has a population of over 20 million, including various ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Zarma-Songhai, Tuareg, and Fulani. French is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion. Niger has a rich cultural heritage with diverse music, dance traditions, and colorful festivals honoring its diverse ethnic groups. Niger boasts some natural landscapes in the north (the Sahara), in the center (the Sahel), and along the Niger River are fertile plains. Despite challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, and political instability, Niger's people demonstrate resilience and drive in their pursuit of national development. Niger recently celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Zarma-Songhai and Dendi peoples, highlighting their traditions, music, dances, and history. These ethnic groups, primarily located in southwest Niger (along the Niger River), as well as neighboring Mali, Benin, and Nigeria, have strongly shaped the country's cultural identity.   Zarma griots (oral historians/musicians) played gourumi (a traditional lute) and duma (drums) during the performances. The Dendi presented their unique rhythms, often associated with their riverine livelihood. Exhibitions of handwoven textiles, pottery, and jewelry reflected centuries-old craftsmanship. Storytelling sessions preserved oral traditions of the Songhai Empire, which once ruled the region. The Zarma-Songhai people trace their roots back to the Songhai Empire (15th-16th centuries), a major West African power. The Dendi, a subgroup, maintain special traditions linked to their ancestral homeland near the Niger Bend. Why this festival is important: The event contributes to preserving intangible heritage in the course of modernization. It fosters pride among Niger's diverse ethnic groups. Such festivals spark interest in Niger's cultural richness beyond the Sahara. @https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DGfUT6LhBBYs%26pp%3D0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD @ @https://afrodiscovery.com/country/niger/niger-tourist-attractions/cultural-experiences-in-niger-music-dance-and-traditional-festivals