Hadjarai
Encyclopedia
The Hadjarai are a group of peoples comprising 6.7% of the population of Chad
, or more than 150,000 people. The name is an Arabic
exonym, literally meaning "[those] of the stones" (i.e. of the mountains). It is used collectively to describe several distinct ethnic groups living in the hilly Guéra Region
.
While the Hadjarai groups speak diverse languages, they share many cultural traits, the most prevalent of which is a common belief in margais, i.e., invisible spirits that control the natural elements. This cult has survived the rapid conversion of most Hadjarai to Islam during the colonial period
, despite attempts by the French colonial authorities to avoid Islamization through the promotion of Christian missions.
Though never united in the past, the Hadjarai people, share a strong spirit of independence, forged in pre-colonial Chad by their repeated clashes with slave-raiding razzia
s in their territory, and supported in particular by the Ouaddai Kingdom
. This tradition of independence has led to frequent clashes with the central government after Chad gained independence in 1960, at first largely because of attempts to force them to move from the hills to the plains. They were among the staunchest supporters of the rebels during the Chadian Civil War. Although the Hadjarai played a crucial role in bringing to power in 1982, they grew alienated from him after the death of their spokesman Idriss Miskine
. They suffered heavily in 1987, after Habré launched a campaign of terror against them in response to the formation of the MOSANAT rebel movement, and members of the group were arrested and even killed en masse. 840 of those arrested appear to have been immediately killed. The Hadjarai thus became important supporters of Idriss Déby
's rebellion against the President and contributed to Habré's downfall in 1990. A crisis among Déby and the Hadjarai leadership flared in 1991 after an alleged coup attempt. Countless Hadjarai were incarcerated as fighting spread to the Hadjarai territory, despite efforts by Déby to reassure the local population of Guéra.
The fifteen Hadjarai ethnic groups include the Dajus, Kengas, Junkun, Dangaleats, Mogoums, Sokoro
s, Sabas, Barains, Bidios, Yalnas, Bolgos, Koffas and Djongors. Most of these are small farmers. Over 90% of Hadjarai women have undergone female genital cutting
.
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, or more than 150,000 people. The name is an Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
exonym, literally meaning "[those] of the stones" (i.e. of the mountains). It is used collectively to describe several distinct ethnic groups living in the hilly Guéra Region
Guéra Region
Guéra is one of the 22 regions of Chad and its capital is Mongo. It is formed by the former Guéra Prefecture-Subdivisions:The region of Guéra is divided in 2 departments:-Demography:...
.
While the Hadjarai groups speak diverse languages, they share many cultural traits, the most prevalent of which is a common belief in margais, i.e., invisible spirits that control the natural elements. This cult has survived the rapid conversion of most Hadjarai to Islam during the colonial period
Colonial Chad
Chad was a part of the French colonial empire from 1900 to 1960. Colonial rule under the French began in 1900 when the Military Territory of Chad was established. From 1905, Chad was linked to the federation of French colonial possessions in Middle Africa, known from 1910 under the name of French...
, despite attempts by the French colonial authorities to avoid Islamization through the promotion of Christian missions.
Though never united in the past, the Hadjarai people, share a strong spirit of independence, forged in pre-colonial Chad by their repeated clashes with slave-raiding razzia
Ghazw
Ghazi or ghazah is an Arabic term that means "to raid/foray." From it evolved the word "Ghazwa" which specifically refers to a battle led by the Islamic prophet Muhammad.In English language literature the word often appears as razzia, deriving from French, although it probably...
s in their territory, and supported in particular by the Ouaddai Kingdom
Ouaddai Kingdom
The Ouaddai Empire was originally a non-Muslim kingdom, located to the east of Lake Chad in present-day Chad...
. This tradition of independence has led to frequent clashes with the central government after Chad gained independence in 1960, at first largely because of attempts to force them to move from the hills to the plains. They were among the staunchest supporters of the rebels during the Chadian Civil War. Although the Hadjarai played a crucial role in bringing to power in 1982, they grew alienated from him after the death of their spokesman Idriss Miskine
Idriss Miskine
Idriss Miskine was a Chadian politician and diplomat under Presidents Félix Malloum and Hissène Habré.-Career:...
. They suffered heavily in 1987, after Habré launched a campaign of terror against them in response to the formation of the MOSANAT rebel movement, and members of the group were arrested and even killed en masse. 840 of those arrested appear to have been immediately killed. The Hadjarai thus became important supporters of Idriss Déby
Idriss Déby
General Idriss Déby Itno is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. Déby is of the Bidyat clan of the Zaghawa ethnic group. He added "Itno" to his surname in January 2006.-Rise to power:...
's rebellion against the President and contributed to Habré's downfall in 1990. A crisis among Déby and the Hadjarai leadership flared in 1991 after an alleged coup attempt. Countless Hadjarai were incarcerated as fighting spread to the Hadjarai territory, despite efforts by Déby to reassure the local population of Guéra.
The fifteen Hadjarai ethnic groups include the Dajus, Kengas, Junkun, Dangaleats, Mogoums, Sokoro
Sokoro
-References:*This article was initially created from the French Wikipedia....
s, Sabas, Barains, Bidios, Yalnas, Bolgos, Koffas and Djongors. Most of these are small farmers. Over 90% of Hadjarai women have undergone female genital cutting
Female genital cutting
Female genital mutilation , also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons."FGM...
.