The Hadin Kay cultural troupe from Dakoro, Niger, has been actively promoting the country's culture for 25 years, despite facing significant challenges. The troupe, composed of 16 members, including four women, was founded with the goal of promoting Niger's culture and identifying new talent. Led by President Yasidou Yahaya, the troupe creates songs, sketches, and plays on various themes, including peace, social cohesion, and solidarity among communities.
The troupe's performances focus on promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, a long-standing issue in Niger. According to President Yahaya, the troupe's goal is to raise awareness about the importance of complementarity between agriculture and livestock. The troupe has worked with several projects and NGOs, generating revenue and allowing its members to support themselves.
The troupe regularly broadcasts on Radio Hadin Kay in Dakoro, performing sensitization plays that the population appreciates. The revenue generated from their performances is shared equally among the members. However, the troupe faces significant challenges, including a lack of transportation to travel to other villages and limited access to modern cultural instruments.
President Yahaya highlighted the need for financing to produce high-quality cultural works, citing the abundance of talent in Niger's cultural sector. To sustain themselves, troupe members also engage in commerce, using the revenue to pre-finance trips within the department and to Maradi. Over the years, the troupe has gained experience and established itself as one of the best in the department and region.
The Hadin Kay cultural troupe has performed in several cities, including Maradi, Dosso, Diffa, Arlit, and Niamey, during cultural events and festivals. However, President Yahaya suspects a lack of transparency in the selection of juries for national competitions, which he believes hinders the troupe's opportunities to represent the Maradi region.
President Yahaya emphasized that rural artists bring originality and attraction to their performances, despite limited resources. He called on the government and partners to provide artists with necessary equipment to effectively play their role in Nigerien society. The troupe requires transportation to intensify sensitization actions in villages and communities within the Dakoro department.
The Hadin Kay cultural troupe's efforts demonstrate the importance of culture in Nigerien society, as stated by President Yahaya, who emphasized that culture is the identity of a people and that a people without cultural references can disintegrate. The troupe's perseverance and creativity serve as a testament to the resilience of Niger's cultural sector.
Key points
- The Hadin Kay cultural troupe promotes Niger's culture through songs, sketches, and plays, despite facing challenges such as limited resources and lack of transparency in national competitions.
