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The Zarma language
 
Dictionaries and language courses  - web  
Peace Corps Dictionary

Zarma - English / French and English - Zarma / French.
A site of Peace Corps, Niger. Very helpful and easy to use dictionary. By using the dictionary of the Zarma course you can search the Peace Corps dictionary, select 'all dictionaries'.
Arnibel Dictionary

Dictionary Zarma - English / French and English - Zarma / French. Set up and lay out quit similar to the Peace Corps dictionary, but all words on one page.

A webpage of the Arnibel website (Association of Nigerien people living in Belgium).  
A quick-course Zarma (in French)
A short clear and easy quick-course and list of essential Zarma words for those who want to speak some Zarma next week. Sometimes spelling differs slightly from Peace Corps Dictionary and dictionary of the Zarma course.
Songhay lessons and dictionary (in French)

The Songhay language, site discusses dialects spoken in Mali and Niger. This website is a project carried out by several experts.

This site provides many interesting document, for an overview click here.
Shonghoy-Senni course (in English).

This dialect of the Songhay language spoken in Mali has a lot in common with the Zarma dialect. The course consist of four modules with very interesting information about the culture.

Draw back is that films are directly loaded which is a problem with slow Internet connections.

  
Koyraboro Senni Songhay (in English)

Some notes of different effects of adding the suffix -andi to verbs with examples with references to books.

By Matthew Baerman, 12 June 2006

  
 
Dictionaries and language courses  - pdf documents  
Basic course Zarma (2006, in English)

An introduction to the Zarma Language containing twenty one lessons to learn basic words and phrases. You can listen to and train yourself with mp3 files available at the Niger Peace Corps website. You have to download the files separately, as the download link for the zip file doesn't work.

Mind: the spelling may deviate from the spelling used in this course.

Click on figure right to download pdf file now.
 

Basic course Zarma (1966, in English)

Thirty lessons to learn basic phrases. Alas, the digital copy has a bad quality. The documents has 314 pages. The intention was to exercise the phrases while listening to recordings on tape recorder.  The recordings - registered in Niamey are not available. The manual also contains glossaries Zarma - English - French, English - Zarma - French  and French - Zarma - English.
Mind: the spelling regularly deviates from the current spelling.

Click on figure right to download pdf file now.
 

Technical language course Zarma
(1995, in English)

This course is developed for people working in agriculture. The course is divided in chapters based on themes, such as agricultural cycle, soil protection,  live fencing. Non-agricultural themes are discussed as well, such as health and sensibilisation. Per theme there is a list of relevant words and phrases. Themes are sometimes illustrated by a story. Stories are bilingual, in English and Zarma.   

Click on figure right to download pdf file now.
 

Lexique Français - Songhay Kaado - Français
(2007, in French)

List of about 950 words with short introduction. Songhay Kaado is a dialect spoken in the north eastern part of the the southern Songhay dialects region in Niger, as well as in neighbouring parts in Burkina Faso. The Songhay Kaado dialect is closely related to the Zarma dialect.

Published by Les Amis de Tokabangou

Click on figure right to download pdf file now.

  
 
Texts in Zarma - websites  
Bone manti doonay (in Zarma)

This book written by Kadi Issa Mahamadou and is titled 'Misfortune was not a habit'.

Book is available at songhay.org and can be also download by clicking on the picture on the right.  

Arnibel news (in Zarma)

The Association of Nigerien people living in Belgium host a website not only in French, but also in Zarma and Hausa.

The Bible in Zarma (French aid)

A complete version of the Bible in Zarma, both the old and new testament. The text in Zarma are given per chapter. An option is available to open an extra window with the same text in an other language. French is the only European language available.

Visionneuse Bible XML - Version xsl-css 1.3 du 25 November 2011

  
The Bible in Zarma (English aid)

A complete version of the Bible in Zarma, both the old and new testament. The text in Zarma are given per chapter. An option is available to compare text with another language. several European languages are available.

By Emil Bengtsson, professional web-developer. He recommends to use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
   
Texts in Zarma - pdf documents  
Boro si nyunay ga ne ni fundo si tay (in Zarma)

This book written by Farmo Ibrahim is titled 'A person can not do the wash without drenching his life'. The title of this book is a wink, it is derived from Zarma proverb, boro si nyumay ga ne ni gahamo ma si tay, meaning that a person can not wash himself without getting wet (Bernard, 2007). 

Books are available at abibitumikasa.com 

 
Bana (in Zarma)

This book written by Hamidou Seydou Hanafiou is titled 'Bana' (pay). 

Books are available at abibitumikasa.com  

 
 
Recordings in Zarma - web  
Basic course Zarma (2006, in English)

An introduction to the Zarma Language containing twenty one lessons to learn basic words and phrases. You can listen to and train yourself with mp3 files available at the Niger Peace Corps website. You have to download the files separately, as the download link for the zip file doesn't work.
Plan : Youth Media and Developments
(in English and French)

Radio sketches in Djerma for a lot of different themes and topics interesting for children, including health, environment, education and social aspects. On the web page a short introduction is provided in English.

Background information in French
The life of Jesus (in Zarma)

Film about the life of Jesus in the Zarma language. A production of inspirationalfilms.com also available in many other languages. Clearly spoken Zarma.
Gospel recordings in Zarma (website in English)

Telling the story of Jesus in every language by Global Recordings Network (GRN). This part of the site contains several MP3 files, click number with speaker to go to page with recordings. It can help you to get used to the Zarma spoken in Niger. Use the picture books as help.
Traditional Zarma music (in French)

This web page contains 13 recordings of traditional music. De site FoFo Magazine contains a lot more information on media in Niger. The page with video-recordings of folkloristic groups from different places is certainly something you should have seen. Zarma speaking singers which (partly) sing Zarma songs, for example,  Berey Koy (Unité), Wass Wong (chimifonda), Tchakey (Gonga), and John Sofakollé (Mayaki with French translation).
 
The Zerma team (in English)

The Zerma People Group Team was formed for the purpose of reaching the Zarma people with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. In addition to religious information, you will find texts about "Who are the Zerma", a video clip with pictures from western Niger and photo's of Derma people and their environment and some songs in the Djerma language.
 
 General information  - web  
Wikipedia Zarma language

Overview of Zarma language grammar topics: orthography, phonology, morphology and syntax. 

Brief Information leaflet (in English, 15th edition)

Web page with basic information about the Zarma language by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL)


The old 14th edition version is still available.
African localisation wiki (in English)

Up to date website with general (linguistic) information about the Zarma language.
 
The Zarma culture  
General culture aspects  
Songhay culture and language (multi lingual)

Site (still at the outset but promising) made by a group of six volunteers working to enable the presence of Songhay in the Internet. The activities of the group cover various areas of development-oriented research and application, among which the following points of interest figure prominently: newsreel in Songhay, bibliographical references, research notes and guides, etc. Nice photo's can be seen here and a lexicon of water plants here. Languages are English, French, German, and Songhay.
 

  
Zarma life and culture  (in English)

Excellent site in World Culture Encyclopaedia with short articles by Thomas M. Painter about orientation, history and cultural relations, economy, marriage and family, socio-political organization, religion and expressive culture and a bibliography.

Also available for Songhay live and culture by Paul Stoller.
 
Wikipedia Zarma people

Page about the Zarma people, including a short overview of their history.   
 
Specific culture aspects  

Ritual injuries the Marcanda (French aid)

Scientific discourse on the "marcanda". In the Zarma area of the Niger, a woman whose husband gets married organizes a ceremony in which she asks married women of the village to come and spend the day at her home. At nightfall, just before the newly-wed couple arrives, all the women form a half-circle : those who were taken as first wives start to insult those who were taken as second wives and vice-versa (see also next link).

Research and text by Sandra Bornand (ethnographiques.org n°7,  April 2005).
Full text and transcription are available.
Injuries in Zarma (French aid)
 [link broken since 17 November 2009, now provided by Djerma.nl]

Text with an offending character, some you might find funny others not. Translation of Zarma to French.
Polygamy among Zarma
more than one wife for a single male (French)

In Niger women are haunted by polygamy. As a spectre in the visual field of women, as the sword of Damocles, comes the day that a woman has to accept a second or even a third wife in the household of her and her husband. (see also Marcanda link above)

Article by Louis Lessard and Martine Lévesque
Alternatives, 10 Mars 2005
 

  
Fulani and Zarma tribes (in English)
pushed into fights by Desertification?

Fights between nomads and sedentary peoples have occurred often in world history. The Zarma are farmers who primarily live in the arid lands of the Sahel. They grow millet, sorghum, rice, corn and tobacco, and as cash crops, they raise cotton and peanuts. Since milk is an important part of their diet and culture, they also own cattle, but the Fulani or Touareg people tend the animals. Clashes between Fulani herders and Zarma farmers have occurred. This article tries to explain why conflict might increase when applied to today's desertification conditions.

Article by Andrew Furber, ICE Case study no. 29, 1997.
 
Kassey (in French)
a mythical woman in Songhay oral history

The Arab chronicles based on Songhay oral traditions show three versions of the Kassey myth. According to the chronicles of Tarikh el Fettach Kassey is the mother of one of the leaders of the Songhay empire in the 16th century.
Article by Ousmane Tandina (H.D.R. Lettres Modernes, Université de Niamey.)

Ethiopiques n°72. Littérature, philosophie et art; 1st semester 2004
Donou, a typical Songhay drink (in English)

Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts tries a millet drink while visiting Tera Village (Niger). The drink is called donou, comprised of millet and goat milk. Read about his experience.  

(available on djerma.nl, as the original no longer exists)
 


About countries with Zarma speaking groups

 
Niger

 

Niger sites in English

Cities, Towns and Regions in Niger (in English)
Find cities, towns and regions in Niger and get actual meteorological information (cloud cover, rainfall and temperature. 

Statesmen and States of Niger (in English)
A chronological list is provided of statesmen since 1900. The site also contains a list of several important traditional states that existed in Niger, i.e. Dosso states, major Hausa states, the remnants of the Songhay empire, and the Berber Sultanate of Aïr. Of course the old and current flag, and the text and music of the current national anthem and the text of the constitution (in French) can be downloaded from this site as well.

Niger Embassy in the United States of America (in English)
In addition to embassy and consular info, a profile of Niger, the government and institution, Niger news and holiday. Also information about business and finance and travel and tourism. Of course a page with interesting links as well.

Friends of Niger (in English)
FON information and newsletter, but also beautiful photos, Niger weather information, and a lot of links to other sites dedicated to Niger.

US CIA Fact book about Niger (in English)
Actual and brief information about geography, demography, government, economy, transportation, military and trans-national issues.

World Bank about Niger (in English)
World development indicators for Niger, a country overview, and information about WB projects, data, publications and news with regard to Niger.

World Culture Encyclopaedia about Niger (in English)
In addition to general information, more about (a) history and ethnic relations, (b) urbanism, architecture and the use of space, (c) food and economy,
(d) social stratification, (e) political life, (f) social welfare and change programs, (g) gender roles and statuses, (h) marriage, family and kinship,
(i) socialization, (j) etiquette, (k) religion, (l) medicine and health care, and some minor topics.

US Africa.org about Niger (in English)
It provides basic information about economy, history, art and culture in Niger, but also photo albums, an event calendar and a lot of pan African links

Eden project Niger (in English)
Since 1987, Eden has been running a project just south of the Sahara desert, helping the farmers and their families achieve a sustainable life with the means available to them.

Krissa Peace Corps Pictures (in English)
Nine photo albums with over 200 images each with a short description and taken in 2001-2003. Some with personal affairs and others showing beautiful buildings (e.g. Niamey mosque) or nice landscapes, people and events (e.g. camel race).

Shannonigans notes from Niger (in English)
Holiday diary of a four week trip to Niger covering several topics like language and communication, Niamey transportation, Tapoa, Parc W. Nice pictures and good stuff for to read for backpackers wanting to travel through Niger.

A Search for Ancestry: Journey Yields Glimpse of Missing Past (in English)
In August 2003, Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts wrote a moving essay about using the African Ancestry DNA-testing service to determine his ancestors' origins. His mother, he found, was from the Songhay people in Niger. His father, from the Mende of Sierra Leone. Last July he went to Niger and Sierra Leone. Joining him was Sarah J. Glover, photographer from The Philadelphia Inquirer. This is their story.
(available on this site, since the original no longer exists)

The Azawakh sahelian dogs (in English)
The Azawakh resemble the Middle Eastern and North African sight hounds but there are striking and subtle distinctions. To view a slide show about the dogs in the natural environment in Niger look here.

 

Niger sites in French

Official portal of the Niger government (in French)
Politics and strategies, institutions, ministries, news and basic information.

Sylvain Ernest about Niger (in French)
Beautiful site with information about geography, population and climate. There are a lot of photos on this site and a story about a trip to Ténéré and about drinking tea. Links to other site are available.

Denis about Niger (in French)
Lively site that was out of the air for some time but is back on the internet. Information on Niger, Niamey and the people living here.

The family Abdoulmoumine (in French)
Family website of a Dosso (Niger) family, a/o with short family history

MEVHYSA about hydrological impact on water resources in Niger
(in French)
Interesting theme site of the working group on "Mechanisms of hydrological variability in the semi-arid zone". Studies are carried out in the Niamey region since 1991. This site also has some  pages for non-scientists with beautiful photos: click here.

United Nations about Niger (in French)
History and actual UN programme and operations in Niger.

The Fifths Games of the Community of Francophone (in French)
See also alternative: NIGER1.COM
Information about the Games held at Niamey, Niger, in December 2005 at Wikipedia. The original site is no longer available.


Mali

Africa Guide (in English)
A site about Mali, people and culture.

US CIA Fact book about Mali (in English)
Actual and brief information about geography, demography, government, economy, transportation, military and trans-national issues.

Mali Embassy in the United States of America (in English)
The official site of the Mali embassy with in addition to embassy and consular info, a profile of Mali, the government and institution, and Mali news. Also information about business and finance and travel and tourism. Of course a page with interesting links as well.

World Bank about Mali (in English)
World development indicators for Niger, a country overview, and information about WB projects, data, publications and news with regard to Mali.

World Culture Encyclopaedia about Mali (in English)
In addition to general information, more about (a) historic ethnic relations, (b) architecture and the use of space, (c) food and economy, (d) social stratification, (e) political life, (f) social welfare and change programs, (g) gender roles and statuses, (h) marriage, family and kinship,
(i) socialization, (j) etiquette, (k) religion, (l) medicine and health care, and some minor topics.

University of Pennsylvania about Mali (in English)
A site with relevant links regarding Mali.

US AID about Mali (in English)
With information about the strategy and mission of US AID in Mali, country programme materials and links

Africa Geography about Mali (in English)
Information about history & people, the river Niger, Timbutu & Djenne, and the Dogon and the Bandiagra escarpment.


Other links

Joel Mayer's links to Niger (in English)
Site with links to sites with information, current news, Nigerien web sites, maps and flags of Niger and returns Peace Corps Volunteers.

Herman's Language Corner (in English)
This web site is meant to provide you with all the language information currently found. You will find a load of internal and external links (the latter to be added gradually) which will make for fun browsing within the site.



Last updated: 24 maart 2012