Traditionally the ethnic affiliation of the Zarma-Songhai determined their occupation, and these traditions have not completely died out. The Wogo are fishermen, for example, while the Zarma and the Dendi are farmers. The Songhaï were traditionally warriors and still claim a more noble and aristocratic background than other Zarma speakers. The Zarma people are the second largest people group in Niger. They also live in a few other West African countries.
Zarma men take more than one wife if they are able to pay the bride-price. An agricultural people, they favor large families where all members contribute to manual fieldwork. The Zarma primarily grow millet and corn, though they have also learned to grow garden vegetables during the colder months of the year. They often keep animals such as chickens, guinea hens, sheep, goats and donkeys. They sometimes hire Fulani shepherds to watch over the family cows.
In a changing modern society some Zarma have taken advantage of educational opportunities and wider career choices in politics, education and business.
Women wear colorful cloth sown into long blouses worn over a length of cloth wrapped around them as a skirt. They wear scarves to cover their heads, more devout women also wear another veil over the headscarf. Men wear cotton trousers with a long shirt or robe. They often wear a cap as well. Facial scars tell of a person's ethnic affiliation, and often of their native region.
The Zarma are resilient and astute survivors of the dry climate and poor soil of their Sahelian region. They demonstrate a shrewdness in their dealings that can cross the line into devious behavior.
Zarma are nominally Muslim, though they continue to indulge in animistic practices and sorcery. Many young people are not necessarily attached to Islam, but social pressure keeps them from leaving the religion of their families. There have been Christian missionaries working among the Zarma since the 1930s, yet there have been relatively few converts, and much divisiveness in the young church.
Most rural African peoples like the Zarma need clean water to drink. Water often contains harmful bacteria which cause sickness and disease.
Pray for Zarma family leaders to have dreams and visions that will open their hearts to the Lord of lords.
Pray for an intense longing for spiritual truth that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for Zarma disciples who will make more disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Zarma in Niger.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Zarma |
People Name in Country | Zarma |
Pronunciation |
ZAR-mah
|
Alternate Names | Dgerma; Djarma; Dyerma; Zabarma; Zabarmawa; Zaberma; Zerma |
Population this Country | 4,936,000 |
Population all Countries | 5,130,000 |
Total Countries | 6 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 99 |
People ID | 16100 |
ROP3 Code | 111171 |
ROP25 Code | 309105 |
ROP25 Name | Zerma |
Country | Niger | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 27 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Tillabéri and Dosso regions; also Niamey. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Niger |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 27 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Tillabéri and Dosso regions; also Niamey.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.10 %) |
0.20 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.80 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Zarma (4,936,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dje Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Zarma (4,936,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dje Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Zarma |
Primary Language: Zarma
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1934) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1954) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1989-1990) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories | Story Runners |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Zarma | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Rock International: King of Glory | Rock International |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Text / Printed Matter | Children and youth resources | One Hope |
Text / Printed Matter | Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies | World Missionary Press |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Global Landscapes Forum - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |