Along the Niger River, millet farmers know that when dust storms blow and storks appear, the season's rains will soon begin. Farmers begin to prepare their fields for planting, removing trash and large rocks. They may go to the zima (local spirit intermediary) or Muslim priest for a powder to mix with the seed grain which they believe will assure a good harvest and Allah's blessing. Some may pray to their house-genie, asking it to bless this year's crop. Others believe of all peoples it is only the descendants of Askia Mohammed, former king of the mediaeval Songhai Empire, who hold the power to best cultivate and harvest millet, bringing forth bountiful harvests. Still others may wait until just before the time of harvest to bury a charm or potion in a field of ripening millet, to produce enough to feed their families and provide seed grain for the following year's planting.
Dust comes from the west, but when clouds form in the east, rain will soon fall. Annual rainfall, amounting to 400mm per year in the Niamey/Tillaberi area, falls during the four short months of the growing season, June through September. Within a good rainy season, rain will fall once a week in short, torrential outbursts, storms that often erode loose, sandy soil and cause flash flooding of the desert wadis. Because of high winds, these storms are sometimes introduced by large, dark, boiling, dust clouds which send everyone running for cover. They are accompanied by brilliant flashes and ripping sounds of lightning and loud crashing and rumbling, earth-shaking thunder. The Songhai believe the powerful spirit of Donga inhabits these stormy displays and uses lightening to kill dishonest men.
When the rains begin, all men, women, and children go to the fields to work. Even men who have gainful employment in the city return to their family fields to help with planting and harvesting. Only the sick or very old remain at home during this busy time of year. All farm work is done without machinery, so many strong backs and helping hands are needed to complete the task.
After the second good rain, the soil is usually wet enough to be planted. The men clean the fields and dig the holes with traditional farming tools. The children and women come along after them, putting seed grain in the holes and covering it. After three days the millet sprouts; in seven days it is up enough to begin the first weeding. Every day, except market day, people go to the fields to work. Only on market day will they take the time away from their fields to rest, visit with friends, and shop for necessities.
By the time the second weeding is finished, the millet is ripe and ready for harvest. The stalk is cut at the ground level, and the heads of grain are then removed from the stalk. The heads are tied into large bundles with a cord or another twisted and softened millet stalk. The heads are stored in a granary until the women begin food preparation -- pounding, winnowing, and pounding again until soft, white flour is obtained. The flour is made into a beverage by mixing it with milk or water and some sugar. It is also eaten as a thick porridge with a tomato/ onion or okra- based sauce or fried into 'hush puppy'- like breads. Being the staple of the Songhai diet, millet is eaten any time of the day, in many different ways. A day without millet is like a day without sunshine!