Culture
Nigerian art is strongly influenced by
Islamic culture but also by pre-Islamic traditions.
Artistry is mainly expressed in various crafts such as
ceramics, wickerwork, leatherwork, jewelery making and
fabric making.
The visual arts are less widespread, but in this
field the Tuareg Rissa Ixa is the most prominent artist. In the literature, the novelist Boubou Hama, the poet
Abdoulaye Houdou and the playwrights André Salifou and
Alfred Dogbe are noted.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Niger, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
Film art was one of Africa's foremost in the late
1960s and 1970s, with directors such as Moustapha
Alassane and Oumarou Ganda, but has since weakened.
Folk music differs between different parts of the
country, but stringed instruments and drums are used
everywhere. In the music played by the peasants hausa
and songhai-djerma there is also lute and trumpet while
flute is a common instrument in nomadic music. A popular
musician is Harouna Goge. Among younger musicians are
Tuaregen and guitarist Omara 'Bombino' Moctar.
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Songaah: List and lyrics of songs related to the country name of Niger. Artists and albums are also included.
 2018
December
Offensive against Boko Haram
December 27
The Nigerian Ministry of Defense reports to media that around 200 suspected
members of Boko Haram have been killed in air strikes since the military
launched an offensive in late 2018. Eighty-seven members of the extreme Islamist
movement have been killed in ground fighting according to the army, which says
no government soldiers have been killed.
July
Six soldiers are killed in attacks
July 1st
Six soldiers are killed in a military post in southeastern Niger, near the
border with Nigeria. The extremist movement Boko Haram takes on the blame for
the act. At the same time, AU is holding a summit in Mauritania's capital
Nouakchott to discuss, among other things, free trade and corruption. A number
of new acts of violence are taking over security issues. Shortly before the
meeting, a suicide attack is directed at G5 Sahel's headquarters in Mali. The G5
Sahel consists of Niger, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania and was founded
with French support in 2017 to fight jihadist rebels and criminal groups.
However, there is no money for the project and many of the 5,000 G5 soldiers
lack the necessary equipment.
April
Construction of US airbase begins
April 23
The first US air base in Niger for armed drones begins to be built outside
Agadez. The US Air Force estimates that the base can be used in early 2019.
March
Prison for protest against raised taxes
March 27th
Four leading opposition and about 20 other activists are jailed for rioting
and for disturbing the general order in connection with demonstrations in the
capital Niamey against increased taxes. The protesters do not have permission
from the authorities.
Free Trade Agreement in Africa
21 March
Niger is one of 44 countries to sign a Free Trade Agreement at the African
Union Summit in Rwanda. The agreement must be ratified at the national level
before the AFCFTA free trade area can become a reality, but it is seen as a
historically important step towards increased trade exchange within Africa.
January
Prison for coup attempt
January 26
Nine soldiers and one civilian are sentenced to prison for between 5 and 15
years for participation in an alleged coup attempt in December 2015. Among those
sentenced to 15 years in prison is the former chief of staff, General Souleymane
Salou, who played a key role when the military deposed in 2010 President
Issoufou's predecessor Mamadou Tandja.
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