Djermas

Djermas (or Zarmas) is a Ethnie group Songhaï, present primarily at the Niger, and in a minority way to the Nigeria and the Burkina Faso. In Niger they account for 14% of the population.

Ethnonyme

Adzerma, Djerma, Dyerma, Dyarma, Dyaberma, Zarma, Zaberma, Zarbarma, Zerma.

Origin and history

Zarmas are populations emigrated of the Lac Débo, area of the interior delta of the river Niger between Mopti and Gundam, in the Western margin of the Empire Songhaï. Their historical proximity explains in particular the high degree of linguistic continuity between Zarmas and the Songhaïs, the similarities in the religious belief and the establishments political.

Incursions repeated on the lake Débo by Peuls, Tuaregs, and Soninke as of the 15th century, Zarmas left the sector for the area of Gao. They continued to move towards the south in the middle of the 16th century to settle in the Anzourou and the Zarmaganda in the north of Niamey. For problems policy and economic certain Zarmas east moved of Zarmaganda during XVIIe and 18th century towards the areas of the valley of Niger in the south of Niamey and in the plates of Fakara and Zigui in south-east. With each stage, the Zarmas colonists met pioneers groups, whom they assimilated: Goole , Goubé , Kalle , Tchi , Lafar , Mawri , Pidgin , and Suje , nowadays these names remained names ic Clan.

The beginning of the 19th century is marked by the resistances baited against invasions Touaregs and Peuls. It was initially Anzourou and Zarmaganda, which fought against the Tuaregs in 1800. Then the Djihad of Peuls in 1804 began, then a class warrior Wongari , emerges partly from Zarmas of the Dallol Bosso, 50 years of resistance with eagerness, Dawda Bongaran, Issa Korombé and their allies make the war against Peuls. Between 1849 and 1856, apogees of Peuls on the Zarmatarey, then the situation is reversed between 1856 and 1866 with the profit of Zarmas.

Consequently, the areas of Right Bank of Niger ( Gourma ), to the countries Gurunsi became a zone of Razzia for Zarmas. In fact, princes Zarmas like Babatou, who make mercenariat, in the Dagomba and the Gurunsi countries manage to organize a base of soldiers and a State which does not stop growing until the arrival of the French columns in September 1896.

Social organization

Windi (concession) is the social basic unit at Zarmas, community of man and woman related by the bonds of paternal descent, plain under the authority of oldest between them, the head of the household is called Windikoy . Each Zarmas village is directed by a kwarakoy , chief of the village which is also under the authority of a bonkoyni or laabukoy , this last has under its authority a country (or a Principauté).

The Zarma countries

Zarmas cut out the sector which they occupy in three principal areas known under traditional names: Boboye, Zarmaganda, and Zarmatarey. In these areas are organized several principalities, their creation goes up around the end of the 19th century. With the head of each country is a princely family ( Koyze ) which exerts an autonomous power. The majority of the Chef S reign under the Tutelle of Zarmakoy, of which most famous is that of Dosso, one finds also Gabdakoy , Kallekoy , Wonkoy , Mayaki and Amirou .

Castes

The systems of Caste S are very remarkable at Zarmas, one finds there:

Burcine , free man, (kings, warriors, and subjects);
Jasare , Griot genealogist and historian of the company;
Zam , craftsman of wood (loggers) in contact with the Genius S of the trees;
Tchakay , Tisserand;
Gaw , hunter, in relation to the double of the animals and the Spirit S which protect them;
Gunu or Wanzam , hairdresser (formerly Priest of the virginal rites).

Economic life

Zarmas are mainly farmers of millet, sorghum, and corn, they often raise some heads of cattle like sheep, goats, and some poultries which would be usually cut down and eaten during the festival nuns and the ceremonies of marriage, and baptism. After the rain season the majority of the young people make the exodus towards the coastal countries to make small shops, in these areas the name Zarma became synonymous with tradesman of loincloths. Tchakey , the tisserands Zarmas manufacture Kunta , covers traditional of marriage, out of cotton, of 3 m out of 1,60 m, and of the bed-spreads to the reasons geometrical blue, green, red, black and white. The women are famous to make basket makings and potteries.

Beliefs

Zarmas are as a majority of the Musulman S. the Christian Zarmas are far from numerous. Their practice of Islam is mixed slightly with the ancestral belief Foley (or Holey). They take part in various Holey worships, of which most famous is the Yenendi (cooling) which is located towards the end of hot season, intended for Cirey to make come the rain under favorable conditions to the cultures and to reconcile the mood of Dongo genius of the lightning. The area of Niamey seems to be Mecque Animistes, while Kiota where lives the Sheik Aboubacar Hassoumi remains a center of meeting not only for the Zarmas Moslems, but for a good number of Moslems Natives of Niger. However Sects like Sonhantie (the magic Sonianké) and Tyerkaw (Wizard eater of heart) are very dominant in this company.

Culture

Social role of the plaits

Music

The music of Zarmas is very varied but, most remarkable are:

moolo , music of the griots, historians of the company. He recites the important facts of the ancestors while a musician accompanies it by a kuntiji , guitar monocorde, or the moolo , a kind of lute has three cords.
Bitti , the sacred music of Zarmas, the music of the dances of Foley possession, the principal instruments are goje , the violin, and Gaasu , the water-bottle. The musicians play the music of the spirit which they want to make come and the priest Zima points out the capacities of his family.

Cavalry of Dosso

Skilful Riding S of the time précoloniale, during the festivals the riders of the palate of Djermakoy carries their costumes of war: large embroidered coat of red, yellow and blue reasons floral. A red helmet ringed of metal money, surmounted by a plumet of feathers of Ostrich, black and white coils. A large shield in skin of Antelope coloured. An iron saber whose handle is in the shape of cross, dagger fixed at the left front armlever. A twisted long lance of red, white and black braids. The caparaçonné fabric horse matelassé in red, yellow and blue rhombuses.

Zarma personalities

Zabar khane , hero and legendary ancestor of Zarmas;
Mali Béro , legendary hero and guide of the exodus of Zarmas at the 15th century;
Issa Korombé ; the famous warrior of Boboye, chief of resistance against Peuls during second half of the 19th century;
Mohammed Ibrahim Babatou , 1972 - 1896 chief of the adventurous riders and mercenaries of the North-West of Ghana;
Attikou Zarmakoy , chief of resistance against French colonization in the years 1897 - 1902.

See too

Language Zarma

Bonds external

Fr DENOMINATION IN ZARMA
in Research on the people Zarma
in Language and culture Zarma

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