Susu

Susu can refer to several related but distinct topics in West Africa. The Susu are an ethnic group and linguistic community primarily located in Guinea, with communities in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia. The Susu language, also spelled Soussou, is a Mande language of the Niger-Congo family. It has several dialects and is spoken by millions of people, serving as a regional lingua franca in some coastal areas.

Susu also denotes a traditional milk-based beverage common in West Africa. The drink is typically made by mixing evaporated or condensed milk with water and sugar, and may be served hot or cold. Variations exist regionally and may include spices or groundnuts. It is widely associated with households and communities across the region and is often prepared during everyday meals and social occasions.

In addition, susu refers to an informal savings and credit system found in many West African communities. A susu group collects regular contributions from members and rotates the pooled funds among participants on a fixed schedule. The arrangement is usually managed by a susu collector who handles payments, record-keeping, and sometimes interest. These groups provide an accessible form of financial support and social cooperation, particularly in areas with limited access to formal banking and financial services.