TheMaouri people are anethnic group in western Africa. They are one of the major ethnic groups ofNiger, and are concentrated around theDallol Maouri (Maouri Valley) of theNiger River, extending fromMatankari, nearNiamey, toGaya. They are a subgroup of theHausa people, and speak both theHausa language and theDjerma language (or Zarma).[1] When using the Zarma language, they are known as the Arawa people.[2]
The establishment of the Maouri people is uncertain, though many sources indicate descent from theBornu Empire. The Maouri established two capitals inMatankari andLougou, with religious authority based inBagaji.[2]
The Maouri areanimistic, with beliefs based on theDoguwa spirits.[2] Islam (especially inDogondoutchi) and Christianity have since gained some adherents among the Maouri, but they still largely hold to traditional beliefs, includingfetishes.[2] They resisted an attempted forcedconversion to Islam in the early 19th century during theFulani jihads and subsequent establishment of theSokoto Caliphate.[3]
The Maouri were also subject to colonization by European powers. The Maouri lands were traded between the English and French colonies in West Africa under various treaties between 1890 and 1906.[4] The French were particularly brutal in their administration of their colonies: in 1898 the priestess of Lougou,Sarraounia, resisted an attack by the FrenchVoulet–Chanoine Mission at theBattle of Lougou. The town ultimately fell, though Sarraounia's forces managed a retreat and were able to inflict ten casualties on the much more numerous and better-armed French soldiers.[2] The French later massacred the neighboringKonni town ofBirni-N'Konni in revenge.[5]
Today the Maouri are traders and farmers.[citation needed]