In The Name Of Allah The Almighty

Niger

(18 December: National Day)

Dr Sajid Khakwani

drsajidkhakwani@gmail.com

Niger, republic in western Africa, bounded on the north by Algeria and Libya, on the east by Chad, on the south by Nigeria and Benin, and on the west by Burkina Faso and Mali. It has a total area of 489,200 sq miles. Niamey is the capital, and largest city, on the Niger River. A river port and road and trade center, Niamey is the southern terminus of a short railroad northwest to Tillabéri. The city manufactures pottery and bricks, leather goods, textiles, charcoal, metal products, soft drinks, and milled grain. Livestock, hides and skins, grain, vegetables, and locally made mats and textiles are exported. Founded at an unknown time as Niamma, it was later called Niame until the arrival of the French.

 During the Middle Ages the Niger region was on the central caravan route from North Africa to the Hausa states and the empires of Mali and Songhai. The area was therefore penetrated early by Muslim missionaries. The Hausa states were dominant in southern Niger from before the 10th century until the early 19th century. Around 1450, the rulers of the Hausa states adopted Islam as their official religion. The first Europeans to enter the area were Scottish explorer in 1795 and 1805 and German explorers in 1850. The French occupied the area about 1890. It was made a military territory in 1900, an autonomous territory in 1922, and an overseas territory in 1946. Proclaimed an autonomous republic of the French Community in 1958, Niger became fully independent on August 3, 1960. The Niger has served as a focal point for the development of African civilizations, particularly the ancient kingdoms of Ghana and Mali. It continues to play a key role in the region, serving as a source of livelihood for many West African farmers, fishers, and herders, as a transportation route in areas that are otherwise poorly connected, and as a source of energy.

          The northern desert of Niger has little vegetation. In the south are extensive savanna grasslands and, in the lowlands, a variety of trees, including baobab, tamarind, kepok, and a species of mahogany. Animal life includes elephant, buffalo, antelope, giraffe, and lion. Niger has diverse mineral resources, most of which remain to be exploited. Large deposits of high-grade uranium ore are found in the north. Other minerals present include coal, tin, gold, phosphate, iron ore, and copper. Niger has tin, gold, and uranium mining operations. Large deposits of uranium are located in northern Niger. Uranium accounts for more than three-fourths of the country’s annual mineral exports. Salt is also mined in Niger in small quantities. Industry is limited mainly to food processing and construction.

  Livestock raising is the principal agricultural activity. Cowpeas and cotton are cultivated for export. Millet, sorghum, cassava, pulses, and rice are grown for local consumption. Fishing is conducted in Lake Chad and the Niger River, and the catch is consumed locally. About about 3000 miles of the Niger and its tributaries are navigable. Commercial navigation begins at the town of Kouroussa, in Guinea. Several rapids—such as at Koulikoro in Mali, Atakora on the Niger-Benin border, and Jebba in Nigeria—interrupt through traffic. Locks permit boats to bypass the Kainji Dam. Agricultural products and refined petroleum are transported on the river. Passenger travel is important along the upper-middle Niger, where road and rail connections are poorly developed. Nigeria’s major river ports, including Onitsha, Idah, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Jebba, and Yelwa, were upgraded in the late 1980s to encourage greater use of inland waterways.

 The majority of the population of Niger is composed of black peoples, primarily Hausa and Djerma, who are subsistence farmers in the south. Of the remaining quarter, most are Tuareg and Fulani, peoples who follow a nomadic life. The population of Niger is 13,272,679 (2008 estimate) and but approximately 90 percent of the population lives near the southern border. Muslims, make up about 90 percent of Niger’s population. Most of the remainder adheres to traditional beliefs; less than 1 percent is Christian. French is the official language, but Hausa is the language of local trade. Other African languages, such as Fulfulde, Tamachek, and Djerma, are also used extensively. Schooling in Niger is free and compulsory between the ages of 7 and 12. Because of a shortage of teachers and the wide dispersion of the population, however, only 44 percent of primary school-age children receive an education. Secondary schools enrolled only 7 percent of the relevant age group. Municipalities in Niger have state-run libraries, and several private organizations maintain libraries. The National Museum of Niger, in Niamey, includes both a library and a museum. Islamic influences from North Africa have had a powerful effect on the culture of Niger.

Marriages are typically arranged by the family, and a bride-price is paid by the groom’s parents to the bride’s parents. Village women often marry at about age 15, and men between 18 and 25. People in urban areas tend to marry later. The traditional marriage ceremony lasts three days, with a big feast for friends. In some parts of Niger, it is a traditional custom for the bride to identify one of two hooded men as her husband—she is given hints if necessary. In a Nigerien family, children must respect their parents. Older people are highly honored and must be obeyed by younger people. It is common for the elderly to live with their adult children. Children are seen as belonging to the entire community, and may be disciplined by neighbors or friends. Wealthier members of the family are expected to share with and help the extended family. Gender roles are rigidly defined. Women do all the house work, such as making flour, collecting firewood, going to the market, drawing each day’s water from the well, and caring for the children. Both men and women work in the fields.

 Homes may be thatched or made of mud bricks. Common family activities often take place under a thatched roof in one corner of the compound. The husband is the head of the family. Muslim men may have up to four wives, and animists more than that. Each wife has her own section within a walled family compound, and the wives take turns cooking for all. The husband has his own section and spends time with each wife in rotation. The more wives a man has, the more important he is considered to be. Young men are moving away from this tradition because of the financial responsibility and other burdens involved. However, it is not considered proper for a woman to remain unmarried. Polygamy is less common among educated urban people. Independence Day is 3 August; it is celebrated by planting trees to help counter desertification. The Proclamation of the Republic (before actual independence) is celebrated on 18 December. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar month, so dates for religious holidays vary from year to year. They include Mouloud (Muhammad’s birthday), which is the only day married women celebrate outside their family compounds

After a military coup in 1974, the Supreme Military Council, headed by a president, became Niger’s main governing body. A new constitution approved by referendum in September 1989 nominally returned the country to civilian rule. In 1991 this constitution was suspended and a transitional government established. Another constitution was ratified in 1992. After another military coup in January 1996, the National Assembly was dissolved, and a new constitution, designed to consolidate executive power in order to avoid deadlock between the president and the legislature, was approved by public referendum. Following a 1999 coup, this constitution was amended to balance the powers of the executive and legislative branches of government once again. The president, elected for a maximum of two five-year terms, is the head of state. The prime minister, appointed by the president, is the head of government. The legislative body is the National Assembly, composed of  directly elected representatives who serve five-year terms.

  District magistrates’ courts, labor courts, and justices of the peace are located throughout Niger. The Court of State Security and an appeals court sit in Niamey. The High Court of Justice, empowered to try government officials, was authorized in 1991. Niger is divided into one capital district and seven departments, which are subdivided into districts and communes.