Figure 1.--This is a scene in a Chad village in 1950. The stark background showcases the arid enviroment. The woman's clothing shows a Muslim influence. The lack of water and Islam are two major influence in Chadian society. |
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Chad is a land-locked Saharan country located in north-central Africa with connections to East Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa. It was part of French Equatorial Africa and achieved independence (1960). The capital and largest city is N'Djamena is the capital. Chad is a huge country, but very arid. Lack of water mean that much of the country has little or no economic potential. It is perhaps best known for endless, fearureless Saharan/Sahelien expanses. Much of the north is part of the vast Sahara Desert. In the south, still dusty landscape are fed by small streams which produce some green scenes along the water flow. The country has been affected by disertification and the expansion of the Sahasra south. The most notable tourist attraction is the teeming wildlife of Zakouma National Park located South of N’Djaména. Archeolohists have found evidence of human habitation from a very early period. Much of the known history of Chad before the arival of the Europeans come from the Moslem people of the central region. Here kingdoms and small empires formed. Chad was colonized by France at the turn of the 20th century. The far north proved especially difficult to pacify. France granted independence (1960). We have some basic information on Chad's history. The economy is based largely on agriculture and livestock, but productivity is limited because so much of the country is arid. It is thus one of the poorest country's in Africa and desertification is a major problem. As a result the population is sparse, totaling about 10 million people. Many in Chad are Muslim, although the largest ethnic group are the Sara--a largely non-Muslim people. Lake Chad is a shallow lake of north-central Africa bordered by Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. It was first explored by Europeans (1823). The Lake is now only a fraction of its former area. The security situation is deteriorating and the government appears to be losing its grip on the nation, especially the north.
Chad is a land-locked Saharan country located in north-central Africa with connections to East Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa. It was part of French Equatorial Africa and achieved independence (1960). The capital and largest city is N'Djamena is the capital. Chad is a huge country, but very arid. Lack of water mean that much of the country has little or no economic potential. It is perhaps best known for endless, fearureless Saharan/Sahelien expanses. Much of the north is part of the vast Sahara Desert. In the south, still dusty landscape are fed by small streams which produce some green scenes along the water flow. The country has been affected by disertification and the expansion of the Sahara south. The most notable tourist attraction is the teeming wildlife of Zakouma National Park located South of N’Djaména. Lake Chad is a shallow lake of north-central Africa bordered by Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. It was first explored by Europeans (1823). The Lake is now only a fraction of its former area.
Poorly studied ancient settlements have been found in what is now Chad. The kingdoms of Kanem-Bornu, Baguirmi, and Ouaddai rose and fell in the region. The slave trade was active in the area. Arab slavers drove captives north to markets in North Africa, After the Portuguese began establishing trading posts along the Atlantic coast (15th century), Arab slavers began supplying the Atlantic slave trade as well. The French as part of the Scranble for Africa penetrated the area. The local Muslim leaders resisted French control leading to battles with the French Foreign Legion. The region became a French governorship (1905). The French established French Equatorial Africa (FEA) was established which included four territories (Chad, Gabon, Oubangui Chari and French Congo) as well as the Cameroon mandate (1910). There was still resistance from Muslimn forces in Chad for some time. Chad became a colony after World War I (1920). French forces in the FEA and Chad in particular was an early supporter of the Free French movenment during World War II. When the FEA was disolved after World War II (1950), Chad became a member of the French Community. The country achieved full independence (1960). Fighting broke out between the Muslim north and east against the Chritian southern-led government (1965). The French attempted to negotiate in an effot to avoid the conflict, but without success. A military coup was staged to create a government that could end the fighting (1975). There were some transient governmental compromises. Fighting broe out agasin (1980). The Government asked Libya to help negotiae a peace which it did, but fighting broke out again (1982). Fighting conontinued until a settlement was reached (1988). Instability, however continued, General Idriss Deby ousted the ruling government, with the idea of instituting a multiparty democracy. Deby won elections (1996). The intermitent civil war as impeded the country's ability to address the country's develomental needs. The security situation is deteriorating and the government appears to be losing its grip on the nation, especially the north.
The economy is based largely on agriculture and livestock, but productivity is limited because so much of the country is arid. It is thus one of the poorest country's in Africa and desertification is a major problem.
While a large country in terms of territory. The arid conditions, however, mean that the population is sparse, totaling only about 10 million people.
The population of Chad primarily consists of indigenous African peoples. This has varied over time as a result of successive incursions, primarily from the Arabic north. One source reports that the population consists of more than 200 ethnic groups. The primary divide in Chad is between The Arab Islasmic north and the more Christianized five southern-most prefectures. This is in part an ethnic issue because of the different etnicities of the north and south. Arab traders/slavers/invaders introduced Islam (8th century AD). Their descendants today are a relatively homogeneous group, found primarily in Chari Baguirmi and Ouaddairegions. Many are seminomadic. Indigenous Muslim ethnic groups include Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba. Some indigenous ethnic groups, such as the Salamat and the Taundjor, havebeen extensively Arabized by intermarriages. Other Muslim groups include the Fulani, an importahnt sheep and goatherders. The largest ethnic group in Chad are the Sara, about 30 percent of the country's population.
They are core of the non-Muslim indigenous peoples. They live in the valleys of the Chari and Logone rivers and are well-established farmers. Other non-Muslim groups include the Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, and Massa. There are about 150,00 non-indigenous inhabitants, only about 1,000 are French.
We know nothing about education in Chad until the modern era. Presumably therewassomesort of training for the ruling class in the various kingdoms or chieftanates. Mosques also likely hadsome kind of basic education.
It was not until the arrival of the Europeans that education in the modern sence reached Chad, actually sometime after the Europeans first arrived. The first schools we note were established by Protestant missionaries (1920s). They set up mission schools in the mon-Ialamic south. French colonial authorities required that all schools be conducted in French. An exception was religion classes. This apparently included instruction at mosques. French authorities fiollowing theFrench education system created a standard curriculum imposed on all educational institutions desiring official recognition and government financial support. The schools established were primary schools. There were no secondary schools. Young people who wished to pursue secular education beyond the primary level. Some children went to Brazzaville (now in the Republic of the Congo), but this meant only small number of children were involved. The first secondary school in Chad opened (1942). It was, however, not for a decade that the certificate academic levels were recognized by French authiorities (mid-1950s). Chad achieved indepencence (1960) and like other newly independent African countries placed apriority on expabding the education system. The immediate goal was universal primary education. The Government made school attendance compulsory until 12 years of age. Mandating this an achieving it were two different matters. The Government faced numerous in aschieving its educational goals. The development of a national standard currucula was a problem. The Government phased a range of problems. There were an inadequate number of schools. And the ones that existed were mostly 2-3 year schools. There were a verry small number of 5- and 7-year collèges and lycées. Another issue was the Muslim preference for Quranic education. Many parents were hesitant to send their children to school, especially Muslim parents. Here there was special concern with the girls. The Government reported that some 17 percent of students between the ages of 6 and 8 years were in school (mid-1960s). Quranic schools throughout the northern Saharan and Sahelian zones teach students to read Arabic and recite Quranic verse. Modern Islamic secondary schools have a wider curriculum, such as the Ecole Mohamed Illech, founded in 1918. The country has continued to expand education, but the system is still limited. Problems include the size ofthe country and the dispersed population, especially in the north, and limited resources. Parental resistance continues to be a problem. Muslim parents in particular are concerned about secular education, especially for girls. Mission and Quranic schools continue to function. Considerable progress was made (1970s-80s). Available estimates vary. One source suggests that 70 percent of boys today continue education beyond the primary level, but this may be optimistic. The proportion of girls is substasntially lower. Literacy is increasing, but over half of the population is still illiterate. There is now the University of N'Djamena (1971). It offers higher education.
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