Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Niamey. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Niamey - Tahoua. Short visit of the archaeologic and ethnologic museum of Niamey. Transfer by car to Tahoua on a good asphalt road.
Days 3 - 6: In Search of the feast
Peuls live in the so-called Sahel, the savannah of the western Africa which extends from the Senegalese Atlantic coast as far as Chad lake. This area divides the Sahara desert from the Equator. Bororo people, who have part of culture and traditions different from Peuls, generally live in Niger, between Abalak and Agadez, in the northern Nigeria and in Chad, on the lake shore. Proud of their beauty and freedom Bororo people do not like the cities and the sedentary life and follow their herds looking for fertile pastures. During the year, small family groups wander far and wide across this infinite savannah and, at the end of the rain season, they gather in fixed places to start the "Gerewoll Festival".
During this festival men dance and show the beauty of their bodies: slim height, fine articulations, white teeth, round and big eyes. Women will choose the best dancer. This festival gives the opportunity to find a new partner and spend a whole year, perhaps lifetime, together. This festival is a coloured and unforgettable spectacle of several days (from 3 to 7). Our camp will be set amongst Bororo people: we will get some days in touch with Woodabe people making experience of their daily life, watching the care of their animals (zebů and cows) which represent the only wealth of this population, the preparations for the festival (every day from the early morning young people begin to make up), the organization of a camp, the life in the intimacy of the families.
Day 7 & 8: Haussa Architecture
The tour continues southward crossing a land inhabited mostly by Haussa farmers. In this region we can also admire the particular fanciful and very little known "banco architecture" (a mixture of straw, clay and animal excrements) of Haussa population; numerous villages fill up this monotonous landscape of savannah with its typical barns and the small houses gathered together: we will stop in Bouza, that is surely one of the most beautiful villages of Niger.
After the decline of Songhai rule (1541), Haussa territory became a big centre for trade and for islamic culture too; near the rural society started a kind of well organized urban civilization. Like many other Haussa villages, Bouza was exposed to numerous cultural influences but also to a succession of invasions that explain its overhead defensive position at the top of a rocky hill. The consequence was the creation of a society founded over the connection between the city and the country, where the city became the power centre and, at the same time, the seat of the regional trade.
Days 9 & 10: Tarka Valley - Dakoro. In this southern area we can meet the so-called "groupements du sud" and live a few days again with the Bororos. Very interesting are also the numerous markets of Tuaregh, Bororo and Haussa people.
Days 11 & 12 : Zinder
After the area of pastoralism peulhs we will be in Zinder, the first capital of Niger. Here the center of Hausa trade and city of the Sultanate of Damagaram located in an old neighborhood built earthen architecture style Sudan. Visit the market and the Sultanate of Zinder. Overnight at hotel by following our route we will pass Tirmini-Maradi - Madaoua to reach the city of Konni, we visit the traditional sultanates and the attics of the Hausa ethnic group.
Day 13: Konni - Kanazi. On the way back to Niamey to stop Kouré which is the area last giraffes in West Africa at large. Night Camp Kanazi.
Day 14: River safari, aboard our boat (canoe) will sail on the Niger River meets the fishermen and hippopotamus. visiting villages Pottery Boubon - Island Kanazi songhai to meet the lord of the water. Short visit of the archaeological and ethnological museum of Niamey.
Day 15: Hotel rooms at disposal for a shower; dinner at the hotel and departure for Europe.
Note: This trip does not allow a daily programme. changes of the itinerary during the expedition can be made.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 11 nights of hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and breakfast
- 3 nights of Tuareg tents accommodation during the festival
- Ground transportation in an air condition 4WD vehicle to all listed sites
- Full board pension prepared on the festival site ( 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, and 3 dinner)
- Mineral water
- Camel ride on the festival dunes
- An experienced English – speaking guide.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Niger
Local Culture
Festival Tours
Cultural Journey
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