People as Infrastructure

When minorities take the place of the plumbing we take for granted

Ray Doraisamy
August 08, 2025

Niamey was a collection of fishing villages in the 1930s.

It is now the capital and largest city in Niger.

However, much of the water is distributed by men who carry the water to homes and businesses.

First, a century ago, nomadic Tuareg and Fulani dominated sedentary Hausa, Zarma, and Songhay. Now they have to do what the latter look down upon as inferior ‘women’s work.

Water vendors in Niamey: considering the economic and symbolic nature of water

Like usury, the selling of excess water was once prohibited by Islam.

Yet nomads driven out of their way of life, find it as one of the few opportunities to support their families.