Zarma

Girls in traditional Zarma clothing

The Zarma , traditionally called Djerma in German , (also Zerma , Dyerma , Dyarma , Dyabarma , Zabarma , Adzerma , Zarbarma , Zarbarma or Zarmaci ) are an ethnic group in West Africa that predominantly settles in the southwest of Niger , on the border with Mali , Nigeria and Benin , on the edge of the Sahel zone . Their language, Zarma , is one of the Songhai languages , so they are sometimes referred to as Zarma Songhay . The Zarma live mainly as arable farmers and grow millet , sorghum and rice .

Personalities

Zabar khane, legendary hero and progenitor of the Zarma
Mali Béro, legendary hero and leader of the Zarma Exodus in the 15th century
Issa Korombé; celebrated fighter of the Boboye, chief of the resistance against the Fulbe during the second half of the 19th century
Mohammed Ibrahim Babatou (1872–1896), chief of adventurers and traders in north-east Ghana
Attikou Zarmakoy, leader of the resistance against French colonization from 1897 to 1902
Hamani Diori , the first President of the Republic of Niger from 1960 to 1974
Amadou Seyni Maïga , Nigerien officer, politician and diplomat
Moumouni Boureima , Nigerien general
Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki , Prime Minister of Niger from 1997 to 2000
Salou Djibo , de facto head of state of Niger after the coup in February 2010
Koulba Baba , Nigerien storyteller

literature

Boubou Hama: Histoire traditionnelle d'un peuple: les Zarma-Songhay , Niamey, Paris, 1967
Sandra Bornand: Le discours du griot généalogiste chez les Zarma du Niger. Paris, Karthala, 2005