Nigerien American
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 629[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| New York City | |
| Languages | |
| American English, French, Hausa, Arabic, Zarma, Songhay | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Christianity, Traditional African religion |
Nigerien Americans are Americans of Nigerien descent. The 2000 census of the U.S. counted only 629 people of Nigerien ancestry among African immigrants in that country.[1]
Demography
Nigerien communities is situated in places such as New York City.[2] Most of Nigerien immigrants from U.S. belong to ethnic groups Hausa, Zarma and Songhay people.[3] So, although Nigerien Americans speak several African languages, the more used languages in the community are Hausa and Djerma. They also speak French (as a second language) and English.
Given the restrictions on emigration to Europe, most Nigeriens that are migrating go to the United States. Today most Nigeriens immigrating to the United States are directed to this country by a U.S. Green Card. They try to escape poverty, unemployment, high taxes, and to provide a good education for their children. Many of the Nigeriens manage to save enough money in United States to have a better life back to Niger. However, unemployment and other economic and labor problems prevent most Nigeriens living in the U.S. and other countries from returning to Niger, so must adapt to the new country in which they live.[2] New York is one of the places that many of these immigrants come. Many Nigeriens have created families in the United States. However, their children, know little about the cultures of West Africa and they only speak English. So, the Nigerien Americans of 2nd generation lose the French and Nigerien languages. While some Nigeriens they want their children to visit Niger someday.[3]
The Nigeriens living in the United States of America founded an association called CONUSA, linking the Nigerien community. The aim of this association is to promote solidarity among the Nigeriens living in the U.S., but also to find ways to participate in the development of Niger. In the short term, the Association implements projects to help young Nigeriens.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Table 1. First, Second, and Total Responses to the Ancestry Question by Detailed Ancestry Code: 2000". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 (French) The American dream for Nigeriens Posted in January 2, 2006
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 African Language Teachers Association. Songhay-Zarma Hausa communities of Nigeriens in the USA. Posted in March 23–25, 2006 by Paul Stoller. Retrieved September 2, 2012, to 0:56pm.
- ↑ (French) Niger diaspora. Posted the October 7, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2012, to 1:20pm.
External links
- Symposium on Africans in New York
- Globalization and African Ethnoscapes: contrasting Nigerien Hausa and Nigerian Igbo migratory orders in the U.S.
- The New Nigerien Hausa Diaspora in the U.S.: surviving and building community on the margins of the global economy
- Malaria Foundation International - Niger Project
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