Today is Niger’s Independence Day! On this day, August 3rd of 1960, Niger declared colonial independence from France. This West African country is often overlooked. However, it contains colorful cultures, diversity, natural resources and an influential fashion presence. Let’s take a look inside Niger’s uniqueness.

The name of the country was inspired by the Niger River, which is a body of water that can be found on the southeastern part of the country. It is bordered by Algeria, Libya, Benin, Chad, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso. 

Niger has been producing African artists since the beginning of time. Intriguing drawings of herds and cattle were found on rocks in the AÏr Mountains, an ancient Nigerien dwelling place that dates back to about 3,500 to 2,500 BCE.

(Ancient hieroglyphs found in Niger)

The remains of a herbivorous, 30 foot tall dinosaur was discovered in Niger, which was believed to have lived about 135 million years ago. The site where it was found is called ‘Jobaria,’ named by the Tuareg tribe after a ‘mysterious creature’ named the Jobar who previously inhabited the place, which scientists would later find out to be a dinosaur. In 1997, a Tuareg man brought an archaeologist to Jobaria, showing him the bones of the Jobar. Scientists posthumously named the creature Nigersaurus. This was not the only dinosaur found in Niger, as many existed in the country and other parts of the continent.

(Nigersaurus)

The predominant ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, Zarma/Songhai and Tuareg. Other ethnic groups include the Fulani/Peuhl, Kanuri, Tubu, Gurma, Arab and more. Although it is ranked as one of the most poverty stricken countries in the world, Niger has some of the globe’s largest uranium deposits. The country also has oil reserves, coal, petroleum, tin, ore, gypsum and salt, among others.