Located in Western Africa
Niger is a land locked country. The Republic of
Niger has acquired its name from the Niger River. Niger is bordered by Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north, Nigeria and Benin to the south and Chad to the east. The first thing that is the most appealing about Niger is its landscape. The beautiful desert cities with green oasis and the lofty Volcanic mountains towering over them creates a dramatic effect that is sure to engulf all.
It was the Songhai Empire that first ruled the region which is Niger today. In the past Centuries the Tuareg, a nomadic tribe clashed with the Fulani Empire of Sokoto. With the dawn of the 19th Century Niger came in contact with the West and with the passing of time Niger became a colony of the French. Niger remained a French Colony for a long time till 1960 ad was governed like any other West African territories of the French.
The Hausa is the largest Ethnic group in the Republic of Niger and the other ethnic groups include, Djerma-Songhai. These people are mainly are sedentary farmers and inhabit the Southern tier of the country. Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Arabs, and Toubou are the other tribes who live in Niger and are semi nomadic in nature. The Culture of Niger is very much similar to that of the traditional Muslims and is typical of most of the Cultures in Western Africa. There are around eight National Languages in Niger, these include:
- Tamajeq
- Fulfulde
- Kanuri
- Colloquial Arabic
- Gurmantche
- Toubou
- Hausa
- Zarma & Songhai
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