Current Time in Arlit
Culture of time in Niger
Culture of time in Niger
Flexible sense of time
Flexible sense of time, also known as "African time," is common in Niger, and it is common to be slightly late for scheduled or appointment times.
Meeting start time is vague
Even in official settings, meetings often start later than scheduled, and the style of starting after all attendees have arrived is widespread.
Prayer time takes priority
In Niger, where the majority of the population is Muslim, the five daily prayer times have a deep influence on the rhythm of life, and meetings and business negotiations are also taken into consideration.
Values regarding time in Niger
Relationships with people are more important than time
People tend to value connections and relationships with people more than being punctual, and lateness is often perceived as innocent.
Emphasis on flow over schedule
The culture of proceeding with things according to the situation and flow of the moment, rather than planning in advance, is deeply rooted, and flexibility in the way time is used is also required.
Life rhythm is in sync with nature
Except in urban areas, it is common to use time in accordance with the natural rhythm, starting activities at sunrise and resting early after sunset.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or relocating to Niger
Treat the appointment time as a guideline
When having a business meeting or visiting, it is important to assume that the other party will not show up on time, so it is important to assume that there will be some delays.
Be careful of conflicts with prayer times
The noon prayer on Friday is particularly important, and scheduling a meeting or business meeting during this time may result in the other party being absent or delayed.
Service business hours are variable
The opening and closing times of markets and shops may change depending on the day, so it is best to think of the times on the signs as a guideline.
Interesting facts about time in Niger
The unit of time is sometimes the "travel time of a cow"
In some parts of the country, a unique time expression is used, "the distance one cow walks = about one hour", which is sometimes used in verbal exchanges.
Determining time by the position of the sun
In areas without clocks, there remains a culture of knowing the approximate time by the position of the sun and the length of the shadow.
The flow of time changes between the dry and rainy seasons
While people are active during the dry season, their daily schedules can change significantly during the rainy season due to floods and traffic difficulties.