Dosso, Niger
Encyclopedia
Dosso is a town in the south-west corner of Niger
. It lies 130–140 km south-east of the capital Niamey
at the junction of the main routes to Zinder
and Benin
. The seventh most populous town in Niger and the largest in Dosso Region, it had an official population during the 2001 census of 43,561. It is the capital of its region—which covers five departments in the southwestern corner of the nation, as well as of its own department: Dosso Department
. The city itself lies at the center of its own Urban Commune
.
, nominated as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 2006.
, a Djerma chieftaincy which rose to dominate the entire Djerma region in the immediate pre-colonial period. The traditional ruler is styled Djermakoy
or Zarmakoy of Dosso, an autochthonous title meaning literally "Djermas' owner": Djerma / Zarma being the name of the predominant ethnic group throughout southwest Niger.
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
. It lies 130–140 km south-east of the capital Niamey
Niamey
-Population:While Niamey's population has grown steadily since independence, the droughts of the early 1970s and 1980s, along with the economic crisis of the early 1980s, have propelled an exodus of rural inhabitants to Niger's largest city...
at the junction of the main routes to Zinder
Zinder
Zinder is the second largest city in Niger, with a population of 170,574 by 2005 was estimated to be over 200,000...
and Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
. The seventh most populous town in Niger and the largest in Dosso Region, it had an official population during the 2001 census of 43,561. It is the capital of its region—which covers five departments in the southwestern corner of the nation, as well as of its own department: Dosso Department
Dosso Department
Dosso is a department of the Dosso Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Dosso....
. The city itself lies at the center of its own Urban Commune
Communes of Niger
The Departments of Niger are subdivided into communes. As of 2005, in the seven Regions and one Capital Area, there were 36 départements, divided into 265 communes, 122 cantons and 81 groupements...
.
Sites
Attractions in the town include the Djermakoy's palace and museumMuseum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, nominated as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 2006.
Historical state
Dosso is the seat of the Dosso kingdomDosso Kingdom
The Dosso Kingdom is a precolonial state in what is now southwest Niger which has survived in a ceremonial role to the modern day.-Early history:...
, a Djerma chieftaincy which rose to dominate the entire Djerma region in the immediate pre-colonial period. The traditional ruler is styled Djermakoy
Djermakoy
The Djermakoy is the title given to rulers of the Djerma/Zarma states in what is now southwest Niger...
or Zarmakoy of Dosso, an autochthonous title meaning literally "Djermas' owner": Djerma / Zarma being the name of the predominant ethnic group throughout southwest Niger.