Negotiating Time in a West African Context

Concepts of time are steeped in cultural traditions and linked to other elements of society. Known by locals and foreigners in tongue-in-cheek fashion as WAIT, West African International Time refers to the relatively slower pace at which activities and relationships take place in several West African contexts. This chapter reflects on my experiences with time in the West African country of Niger, a place where most of the country pauses for prayers five times a day, where patience is a trait revered in many societal contexts, and where, in contrast, assertiveness behind the wheel of a vehicle is a necessary approach to navigating Niamey streets. Conceptualizations of time in Niger are varied. While the stereotypical WAIT is present in Nigérien culture, it is not exclusive that region. Rather, temporal expectations change across space.