The Arabs of Chad are those who when asked of their ethnic identity will answer they are 'Arab'. All the Arabs claim their ancestors came from the Arabian peninsula, and their cohesion as a group is along the lineage of tribal/family relationships. They are influential because of the origins of Islam from the Arabian peninsula but also for their role in the infrastructure of Chadian economic life.
Various waves of migration from the fourteenth to nineteenth centuries are said to have brought the different Arab tribes to the Chadian basin from the North, via Libya, and from the East, via Sudan. Their culture and traditions bear strong resemblance to those of Middle Eastern Bedouin tribes. They speak a colloquial form of the Arabic language, and this is the primary trade language in Chad today.
Dispersed throughout the entire Chadian basin, there are around twelve major tribal groupings identifiable among the numerous Arab tribes. True to their nomadic roots they haven't formed their own nation-state. These Arabs don't have cohesion to any particular area but often they get involved in the affairs of the regions where they are.
There are two major groupings of Arabs in Chad: those who are semi-sedentary, who have cattle and agriculture occupying them daily, and those who are nomads, with herds of cattle and camels. Independence is a feature of their way of life and mentality, it is a value that doesn't inhibit change as much as 'facilitate' their rugged and often dangerous work and lifestyle.
There are other groups in Chad who have taken on the Arabic language and culture, some even to the point of saying they too are Arab.
Identity/Location
People Name: Arabs of Chad
Primary Language: Chadian Arabic
Ethnologue Code: SHU
Primary Religion: Islam
Alternate Names: Chadian Arab, Shuwa Arab ("Shuwa" is Baguirmi, Kotoko and Kanuri term for Arabs meaning 'beautiful'. It is believed that it applies to a group of Arabs in the Chari-Baguirmi area).
Dialects: Chari-Baguirmi, Abéché
Location: Throughout Chad, with higher concentrations in the Chari-Baguirmi, Salamat and Batha provinces.
Population
Population: 1 million (1993) In Chad: 758,527 (1993)
Urban Percentage: 21%
Regions: Chari-Baguirmi 270,000; Batha 97,000; Salamat 97,000 (rounded figures from 1993 census)
Living outside Chad (estimated figures): Nigeria 100,000 (SIL, 1993); Cameroun 63,600 (1992); Niger 50,000 (1991 VanderRaa); Central Africa 7,600 (SIL, 1993); Ndjamena: 80,071
General Description
The Arabs of Chad trace their origins back to the Middle East, especially Yemen and Egypt. Further, the Arabs in Chad identify with certain clans: Beni Said, Ghawalme/Hassa'One, Beni Hassan, Hemat, Hemadjie, Houmour, Missirie, Zourou, Ouled Sliman, Rachid, Salamat, Haddad. (Babalia and Toundjour have origins as non-Arab peoples but have become Arabs and are counted in various statistics).
There are two major kinds of lifestyle: 1. Nomadic: with herds of cattle or camels. 2. Semi-sedentary, in more humid areas, occupied with both cattle herds and agriculture. These move to water holes in the dry season. Some of the things that are considered important in the Arab society are cattle, camels, horses, several wives, donkeys, the elderly, marabouts and singers. Independence is a distinguishing feature of the Arab mentality.
Language/Literacy Information
Primary Language: Chadian Arabic (darjia)
Ethnologue Code: SHU
Alternate Names: Shuwa, Shua (Baguirmi, Kotoko and Kanuri term for the Arabs meaning 'beautiful') believed to relate to a group of Arabs in the Chari-Baguirmi area.
Dialects: Chari-Baguirmi
Linguistically related: Other Arabic dialects.
Comments: Many Chadian people are speakers of Chadian Arabic also, as it is a major trade language, and also has become the first language of many non Arabs. Arabic being the language of Islam is considered to be prestigious.
Second Languages: Local language where live or Modern Standard Arabic or French Neighbour Languages. Varies with location.
Adult Literacy: Male 17.5% Female 4.7% Total 10.3 % (Chadian national average figures, 1993)
Active Literacy Program: None
Comments: The literacy percentage is based on the national average (1996) and may be lower in the villages.
Economics
Subsistence type: Subsistence, Agriculturists and Pastoralists
Avg. Annual Income: Less than $450 per year
Occupation: Agriculture, Pastoralists, Business
Income Sources: Livestock, Milk, Millet
Products/Crafts: Milk, meat, livestock
Trade Partners: Any neighbouring peoples.
Modernisation/Utilities: No electricity - water sources and quality vary.
Living Conditions/Community Development Status
Health Care: Poor - becoming more open to professional medical assistance.
Infant Mortality Rate: 13.2%
Child Mortality Rate: 22.2%
Life Expectancy Rate: 50.3 years
From 3,904 - 178,353 patients/per doctor (depending on location)
Comments: Mortality, life Expectancy information is based on the national average (1993).
Diet/Food: Basic diet is millet, leaf and meat sauces.
Water: Varies in availability and quality.
Shelter: Chadian Arabs live in a variety of lifestyles. Nomadic groups have huts built with sticks, covered with mats bound together with leather. Villages have straw huts with distinctive semi-circular arched roof tops, which often become permanent features in villages. Others in larger urban areas may have mud brick houses.
Electricity: Except in larger cities, there is none.
Energy/Fuel: Food and water for camels. Wood and charcoal for domestic fuel.
Clothing: Traditional - The men wear long robes called jalabiyas, and occasionally a white turban or type of cap called a 'tagiya'. Women in villages wear dresses or 'rabott' (typical Chadian wrap around material for bottom half of the body), and short veils. For occasions and going to the market, wear a 'lafai' which is a long piece (5 metres) of lightly woven material wrapped around the body and over the head. In the villages the women are often bare-breasted.
Transportation: Public transport is mostly by market truck or the occasional bush taxis. Most frequent forms of transportation are camel, donkey, ox-carts, cattle (women may ride on the back of cattle), horse (men only) or by foot. Transportation in terms of reaching villages & other areas is difficult because of dirt roads which during the rainy season are virtually impassable, except for 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, and then, travel is slow. Transportation in the towns is relatively easy.
Comment: Adequacy of subsistence livelihood is variable. Nomadic Arab groups benefit less from development/aid work which focuses more on settled populations. Well projects do help the nomads.
Society
Family Structures: Identity in their tribal grouping is important for the Arabs. The family is a branch of the tribal unit. The tribe is an extension of this. Live in an area called 'Dar' which means 'home area'. The tribe is a protective unit also. Cohesion in the group is along blood lines (rihm), which generate solidarity. Where there are two great ancestors for a tribe it is considered a confederation. Extended family, patriarchal. Polygamy widely practised. Will intermarry, but only with Muslims.
Neighbour Relations: Relations with their neighbours vary. They may be disliked in some areas, for various reasons. Often Arabs are not trusted. Because of their nomadic lifestyle they have their own agenda regarding their lifestyle which doesn't necessarily coincide with other groups. Their mobility complicates relationships with other groupings at times. Respected for their language and religious affiliation, on the other hand they can be distrusted for their superiority also. Generally there can be manifestations of suspicion of neighbouring groups anywhere. There were clashes of the Arabs and Kotoko in Cameroun in 1992. Some Eastern Arabs are viewed with suspicion of being cattle and camel thieves. Haddad Arabs (those in the blacksmith trade) traditionally are looked down on by most cultures, and are a culture apart.
History/Conflict - Status: There are a lot of groupings amongst the Arabs. Arriving from different places as different groups at different times in history. There are many reasons why they are sub-divided and because of this there is potential for in-fighting. Transhumance of animal stock causes conflicts with animals getting into fields and causing damage. Southerners have the strongest history of dislike of the Arabs, tensions related to this surfaced in the Civil wars of the past.
Authority/Rule: In Chad some districts have local officials/chefs who are Arabs where there are Arab populations. Many utilise local administrative system of government for their disputes and incidents - but also many don't utilise the local government system, but go to traditional authorities, the traditional heads of tribes or the head of the ethnic group in the town. Many Arabs prefer to go to the traditional system (more patronage oriented) than the government system. There is a dualism of state and non-state authorities. The Sheik is the head of the clan (hereditary). In time of war they will unite around a strong leader. Sheiks are assisted by the heads of tribes and the fakis (Koran teachers - who are marabouts, and practitioners of folk Islam). A Bulama is a village chief. There is a Sultan in Ndjamena (hereditary position) who appoints lawân (chef de canton = district head) responsible for some regions, but he has no authority over them. Lawâns have superior authority and in some are in conflict with the sultan. Due to inter-clan rivalry, there are no Arab sultans outside Ndjamena. A woman presidente or mâgira is in charge of women. Faki's have a considerable influence in the Arab communities.
Judicial system: The sheik or sultan works in co-operation with the district local government authorities and relates to the traditional systems operating. Sultans' representatives apply the law, taxes etc. Tribe members are collectively responsible to pay blood money compensation if someone is killed. There is no one system that functions in this area.
Social Habits/Groupings: Like visiting, talking and drinking tea.
Cultural Change Pace: Slow
Acculturation to National Society: Near (to Northern Muslim Chadian society).
Self Image: Proud/Prestigious
Celebrations: Islamic celebrations, dances are organised.
Recreations: Tea drinking, talking, visiting.
Art Forms: Have distinct dances and music. Each village has a dance group.
Media and local language broadcasting: Spontaneous translation of news bulletins and radio plays.
Attitude to Outsiders: Receptive
Attitude to Changes: Resistant. Migration is a solution to facilitate change.
Children/Youth
Total who have received education: Chadian average 31.8% (Salamat prefecture 12.2%) It is expected that the percentage of those who have received education is lower in villages. Most children go to Koran schools in the villages, run by the local imam. Instruction is in Classical Arabic, with explanation sometimes in Chadian Arabic. Students can repeat the Koran, but may not be able to explain it further.
Language of Instructions and textbooks: French/Arabic
Comments: Rural Arabs do not rate education that highly. There are several Arabic and Koranic schools in Abéché, Ndjamena and other major towns. (These schools are not necessarily run by Arabs.) Chadian Arabic is often used in teaching, though Modern Standard Arabic is aspired to as the language for Arabic education.
Labor/Tasks: Help adults with their work.
Greatest Needs: Schools, teachers, funds for education.
Religion
Primary Religion: Islam
Adherents to Islam (Sunni Muslims): 100%
Religious Practices/Ceremonies: Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha, and other Muslim celebrations. Circumcision, Excision Charms and amulets (known as Waraga - Chadian Arabic) are widely believed in to protect from harm, evil spirits, fetishes, sickness. Around Ndjamena there are reports that a form of sorcery is practised among the Arabs.
History of Christian Presence Amongst This People Group
Year Began: Around the 1950s
Significant Events: Work commenced by a Dr Oly in the north in the 1950s, with some attempts at translation. In the 1960s Charles Marsh worked on scripture translation. A church in Ndjamena is using Arabic and some other tribal languages and French in their gatherings. Also in the Guera and in other areas there are churches with translation or meetings held in Arabic/pigeon-Arabic. These churches are attended by Arabic speaking peoples from other ethnic groups. Culturally there would be barriers/obstacles for Chadian Arabs to be a part of these churches.
Current Church Development
Christian (All%): 0.0003%
Scriptures available: A translation is available, but is not comprehensible to the average Chadian Arabic speaker, and is in need of re-translation.
Christian Radio: 0
Recordings Available: Some available. Not necessarily in a comprehensible Chadian Arabic.
Spiritual Climate and Openness: Arabs are friendly and open people. Some are more learned about Koran teaching than others. Since Islam is their tribal and family religion there would be reluctance to accept something different to that. Those who have friends amongst the Arabs find they are very open to discussion of spiritual matters.
Comment: Those who come to the Lord may struggle with persecution.
Statistics