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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Niger > Zarma

Zarma

A language of Niger

ISO 639-3: dje

Population	2,350,000 in Niger (2006). Population total all countries: 2,438,400.
Region	Southwest. Also in Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria.
Language map	Niger
Alternate names	Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma, Zarmaci
Dialects	Kaado. In Niger, dialects from Dendi [ddn] and Songai blend into Zarma. Intelligibility is high, although they use ethnic names ‘Dendi’ or ‘Songai’ for themselves. Cannot understand Gao Songai [ses] in Mali.
Classification	Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Southern
Language use	National language.
Language development	Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Bible: 1990.
Writing system	Arabic script, Ajami style. Latin script.
Comments	Ethnic groups include Kurtey (32,000), Wogo (28,000), Songai (400,000), Dendi (40,000). Muslim, traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Burkina Faso

Language name	Zarma
Population	600 in Burkina Faso (1987 SIL).
Language map	Burkina Faso, reference number 65
Alternate names	Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma
Comments	Muslim.

Mali

Language name	Zarmaci
Region	South of Menaka at Niger border, Tabankort and Akabar villages.
Language map	Mali
Alternate names	Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma, Zarma
Comments	Muslim, traditional religion.

Nigeria

Language name	Zarma
Population	87,800 in Nigeria (2000).
Region	Kebbi state, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, and Bunza LGAs; Niger state north of Mokwa along Kontagora road; Yobe state north of Nguru.
Language map	Nigeria, Map 1, reference number 2
Alternate names	Adzerma, Djerma, Dyabarma, Dyarma, Dyerma, Zabarma, Zarbarma, Zerma
Dialects	Kaado.
Comments	Muslim.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

HARRISON, Annette; HARRISON, Byron; RUECK, Michael J., authors. 1999. "Southern Songhay speech varieties in Niger: a sociolinguistic survey of the Zarma, Songhay, Kurtey, Wogo, and Dendi peoples of Niger."  

Vernacular Publications

a, b, c: Zarma sanni sijiirey. 2002.

Biyey (Les plaies). 2005.

Biyey (Les plaies; en langue zarma). 2004.

Cawyaŋ ga faala!. 2002.

Cawyaŋ ga faala!. 2005.

Dandumi. 2004.

Ga-ham saajawyaŋ (Hygiène du corps en langue zarma). 2003.

Gunde-kar: mate no i ga a safar nda fu? (La diarrhée: comment la traiter à la maison en langue zarma). 2003.

Hamney:kaŋ yaŋ ga kande doorey (Les mouches porteurs de maladies (en langue zarma)). 2004.

Hari. 2006.

Heemariizo (Le paludisme). 2005.

Heemariizo (Paludisme; en langue zarma). 2003.

Ifo no ga ti siida dooro? (Qu'est-ce que le Sida?; en langue zarma). 2004.

Kociya ga-ham baano. 2004.

Koto-beero. 2006.

Kwaara saajawyaŋ (Hygiène au village en langue zarma). 2003.

Laasaabu 2. 2005.

Laasaabu. 2002.

Laasaabu. 2005.

Mate kaŋ i ga ga-ham safar da (1). 2004.

Mate kaŋ i ga ga-ham safar da (2). 2004.

Mo doori. 2004.

Salado dooro. 2004.

Windi-bundu. 2004.

Zanka boŋ-batuyaŋ: CANSA (La protection de votre bébé: La vaccination; en langue zarma). 2004.

Zarma ciine hantumiizey bay yaŋ tira. 2002.

Zarma sanni boŋ-feeray tira: cawandika tira 2. 2001.

Zarma sanni cawyaŋ nda hantumyaŋ: cawandika tira 1. 2001.

Zarma sanni sijiirey. 2002.