Souban; Dori and Dosso (named blanket variants); the weaver caste is called Tchakey, divided into massaki-sakala and massaki-tera sub-roles
The narrow-strip weaving of ceremonial blankets by Zarma weavers of Niger, organized within a dedicated hereditary weaver caste called Tchakey, itself divided into two named specialist sub-roles: the massaki-sakala, who weave the Dori and Dosso blankets from five strips of 8 cm width each, and the massaki-tera, who weave the Souban blanket from twelve to seventeen strips of the same 8 cm width. Historically produced only in black and white, contemporary Souban cloth showcases vibrant colors and geometric patterns, each carrying specific symbolic meaning tied to aspects of daily life, community joy, and prosperity. Requiring months of skilled labor to complete, the finished fabric was historically sought after specifically by noble Zarma families, worn on special occasions as a recognized symbol of good grace and social standing.
Risk level: Endangered · Not independently inscribed
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