People of Niger
It is difficult to classify the people of Niger in one specific way. Many Nigeriens come from various backgrounds and there is a large variety of ethnic groups within the borders. The boundaries of the country were imposed by European powers, and as a result, the cultural borders do not align with the state's borders. The government of Niger has worked diligently to create a new sense of nationality ("Niger").
Niger is a particularly rural country with little development outside of the capital city. There are main markets in the more developed cities and traveling markets that stop in the rural areas. These markets bring trading opportunities and fresh goods. Many women who do not leave the rural villages will work to create homemade items to trade for food ("Niger"). |
People practice two different life styles in Niger: settled and nomadic. Larger families often choose to stay in one place and expand their family there while others will travel around to care for cattle. It is not uncommon for larger, settled families to be composed of multiple wives and many children. Government officials have begun to promote family planning to decrease health risks and raise up a stronger population ("Food & Daily Life").
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Other Challenges Facing Niger
An abundant problem in Niger is that many families live without an income. Families will have small businesses that provide them with goods to trade for food. This creates a never ending cycle of families constantly losing what they produce, and never being able to step ahead. This has lead to a state wide issue of poverty in Niger ("Major Problems Facing Niger Today").
Desertification is also a major problem facing the Sahel region as a whole. Because the Sahara Dessert promotes such poor planting conditions, it is very difficult to prevent the spread of the dry land. There have been various projects to attempt to increase the number of plants in the area, however few have succeeded which has caused many problems for Nigerien families who depend on their careers in farming (Morrison). |
Beauty of Niger |
Niger's beauty can be found within the people of their state. The variety of ethnicities creates a beautiful blend of cultures that serves to represent Niger. A common tribe in Niger, The Bororos, are known for their traditional values and beauty. They have been able to resist forces from colonisation and stay true to their values by practicing a nomadic lifestyle which displays the original beauty of Niger (Mugwanda-Nyamutenha).
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Despite the desert conditions proving challenging for residents of Niger, they have created a beautiful landscape. One of Niger's best known landmarks is Arch de Orida, a freestanding natural arc of sandstone (Reed). This landmark helps to showcase the natural beauty of Niger and highlights a wondrous creation amidst the dessert. |
Works Cited
“Food & Daily Life.” Our Africa, www.our-africa.org.
“Major Problems Facing Niger Today.” AFRICA W, www.africaw.com.
“Meet Niger's Beautiful Wodaabe People.” This Is Africa, 4 Jan. 2018, thisisafrica.me.
Morrison, Jim. “The ‘Great Green Wall’ Didn't Stop Desertification, but It Evolved Into Something That Might.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 23 Aug. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com.
“Niger.” Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com.
Reed, Amy. “Niger.” Niger - Attractions and Landmarks | Wondermondo, www.wondermondo.com
“Major Problems Facing Niger Today.” AFRICA W, www.africaw.com.
“Meet Niger's Beautiful Wodaabe People.” This Is Africa, 4 Jan. 2018, thisisafrica.me.
Morrison, Jim. “The ‘Great Green Wall’ Didn't Stop Desertification, but It Evolved Into Something That Might.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 23 Aug. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com.
“Niger.” Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com.
Reed, Amy. “Niger.” Niger - Attractions and Landmarks | Wondermondo, www.wondermondo.com