Zarma

Zarma is a language spoken in Niger. It is a member of the Songhay family, and is closely related to Songhay proper. It is also spoken in Nigeria. Zarma has a complex tonal system, with three phonemic tones. It also has a large number of consonants, many of which are not found in other languages. Zarma is spoken by approximately 2.5 million people. It is used as a lingua franca in Niger, and is also taught in schools. Zarma has a rich literary tradition, and is the language of the epic poem The Song of Roland.