Music of Niger: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Niger is an African country inhabited by a mix of ethnic groups, mostly Hausa, Beriberi, Songhai, Djerma, Dendi and Tuareg peoples. The Tuareg are known for romantic, informal love poetry played by both men and women, with voices accompanied by clapping, tinde drums (in women's songs) and a one-stringed viol (in men's songs). The Beriberi are known for complex polyphony, while the region around the capital of Niamey is inhabited by Dherma and Songhai who play, generally solo, a variety of lutes, flutes and fiddles. The Hausa, who make up over half of the country, use the duma for percussion and the molo (a lute), along with ganga, alghaïta (shawm) and kakati (trumpet) in the southeast Zinder area.

Music for the purpose of entertainment has not been readily accepted by the Nigerien government, though restrictions have loosened since the death of Seyni Kounché in 1987. A competetive music festival called the Prix Dan Gourmou helped inspire a musical renaissance in the country, led by people like Alassane Dante. The Centre for Musical Training and Promotion was founded in 1990, furthering this process, using a grant from the European Fund for Development. Musicians formed bands to seek fame both domestically and internationally, with the most successful being the group Takeda, formed by Adam's Junior, Fati Mariko, John Sofakolé, Moussa Poussy and Yacouba Moumouni.

In the mid-1990s, internationally renowned record producer Ibrahima Sylla travelled to Niamey and ended up signing Poussy and Saadou Bori, and has since also helped release records from Adam's Junior and Mamar Kassey.

References

• Bensignor, François. "Sounds of the Sahel". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 585-587. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1858286360