In the 1720s, a combination of drought and locust swarms severely devastated agriculture in the Sahel region of West Africa. The destruction of crops led to food shortages and economic instability, exacerbating the challenges faced by local populations. This environmental crisis underscored the fragility of agricultural systems and the interconnectedness of climate and human survival in the region.

The Sahel locust and drought in the 1720s were preserved in oral epics and later African literature, inspiring poetry that addressed themes of survival and resilience. These environmental challenges became central motifs in works that explored the human spirit's endurance in the face of adversity.