Niger+Culture

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Beliefs
Islam is the religion of 98 percent of the population, followed by traditional religions and Christianity. There is a great deal of religious tolerance, and many Islamic beliefs and practices are strongly influenced by culture. The Niger population practice a lot of rituals. Many local rituals have both Islamic and pre-Islamic elements. "There are two really popular rituals called, Haussa and Zarma-Songhai, during these rituals the people pray to elaborate spirit pantheons." (Everyculture, 2011)

Traditions
There are many rites of passage in this culture; name days, are celebrated among all groups one week after a birth and the child is awarded with a Koranic name. The child's hair is shaved to sever ties with the spirit world. In rural areas, male circumcision usually is performed from ages three-seven. The next important rite of passage is marriage. "Other ceremonies take place on official Muslim holidays. The Friday prayer takes place at a special prayer ground. Throughout the countryside, designated places are set aside as spaces for smith-artisans and herbalists to conduct ritual preparations and communicate with spirits." (Everyculture, 2011) From this designated land medicine tress and relaxation rocks are distinguished and visited among the cultural people when they need healing or reflection time.



Language
French is the official language, the two other languages used are Hausa and Djerma

Societal Expectations/ Education
Infants generally are not placed in separate spaces to sleep and play; they usually are kept very close to their mother's body. The mother usually carries the infant on her back in a cloth or in a sling over the shoulder. Most infants are breast-fed. Early childhood is practiced with lax discipline. Children are instructed to speak a certain way to their elders, but their free time is theirs to play freely. Cultural values that are imbedded early in childhood include an emphasis on generosity and sharing, respect toward adult authority figures such as elders, and careful observation of adult tasks. In rural areas, many families discourage girls from pursuing an education beyond primary school. Children are often forced to work rather than attend school, particularly during planting or harvest season. "At the one university, the University of Niamey, males are the majority. Among some groups, families opposed all schools until recently, fearing that they were controlled by the government and wanted to push to change their culture and religion." (Everyculture, 2011)



Music
soul full artists like these artist underneath produce a variety of modern day music, blues, jazz and rhythmic beats! [|Moussa Poussy and Saadou Bori]

[|Lobi Traore]
[|Bamako]



Food
Millet, sorghum, and beans are the major food crops, and peanuts and cotton are the major cash crops. Rice is grown along the banks of the Niger River. Millet is the basic daily food intake for most rural people in all regions, followed in importance by corn, sorghum, rice, macaroni, beans, cowpeas, cassava, and wheat dishes such as couscous. Rice is a "status" food that is served at rites of passage, holidays, and other special occasions. Millet dishes vary in style but usually are prepared as a "paste" or stiff cooked porridge soup and covered with a vegetable sauce that sometimes contains small pieces of meat. However, most meat is served apart from sauces, grilled and eaten on the side on special occasions.



Family
First marriages are almost always arranged by the parents in both rural and urban communities. Usually, there are no "forced" unions; unwanted suitors may be voted out by the potential partner or the parents. Traditional parental preferences for a suitor of the same social class or a cousin to be chosen for marriage are breaking down in the towns. Men can have up to four wives, according to Islamic law. Not all men have the economic means to practice this. Polygamy (having more than one wife) is practiced mostly among Islamic scholars. Divorce rates vary within ethnic groups. Remarriage varies with the age and local status of a divorced woman.

The information above was retrieved from (Everyculture, 2011)



Jobs
"Niger is one of the world’s top uranium exporters, but eighty percent of the population is employed in subsistence agriculture. Traditional subsistence farming, herding, small trading, seasonal migration, and informal markets dominate the economy that generates jobs. Fourteen percent of Niger's Gross domestic product is generated by livestock production of camels, goats, sheep, and cattle." (Everyculture, 2011) One problem in Niger is that rainfall varies, and when this happens Niger has difficulty feeding its population and must rely on grain purchases and food aid to meet food requirements. This is also a problem because some of the jobs need rain for their crops to grow to produce agricultural output.



Structure
General rules of conduct include the importance of greetings, many of which are more elaborate than just shaking a hand or waving hello. Among all ethnic and cultural groups, it is considered extremely rude to approach someone with a question or statement without a initial greeting. Long salutations are the rule. It is considered rude to refuse to do something or strongly contradict someone. Dress should be modest and respectable and neat among both men and women. Recently, there has been violence against women wearing clothing considered immodest by Islamic reformists.

References: Culture of Niger - history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs, family. (n.d.). //Countries and Their Cultures//. Retrieved December 8, 2011, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Niger.html

Niger: History, Geography, Government, and Culture — Infoplease.com. (n.d.). //Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com//. Retrieved December 5, 2011, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107843.html

Created by: Karen Back ©klback@ilstu.eduDate Created: November 28, 2011Date Last Modified: November 28, 2011