Niger Artisans: Yazi Dogo

The Hausa faculty of Boston University's African Language Program created the Niger Artisans Project to provide students with a video-based intermediate/advanced Hausa course linked to artisanry in the Republic of Niger. Since 1987 when BU's first group of study abroad students went to Niger, BU students have been linked to the National Museum of Niger in Niamey where many acquired skills in artisanry by serving apprenticeships to some of Niger's most famous artisans. This video course was designed to train students to be conversant in the culture and linguistics of artisanry in the Hausa language. As the project unfolded, the candid conversations with the artists often brought out topics related to modernity, tradition, and a changing economy. The final product is twelve in-depth profiles of Nigerien artisans ranging from silversmiths to fashion designers, each accompanied by transcripts in both Latin and Ajami script. This video features Yazi Dogo, a renowned theater and film actor in Niamey.

For further information on the BU African Language Program, please contact: Professor Fallou Ngom, Director of the ASC African Language Program ([email protected]) or Dr. Peter D. Quella, ASC Assistant Director ([email protected]).