Human presence at Lake Chad dates back thousands of years, as evidenced by the archaeological remains found in the region. Later, during what we know as the Middle Ages, the history of this territory became particularly complex and fascinating. This period gave rise to some of the peoples and nomadic groups of Lake Chad that are the focus of this article: the Kanuri, Kanembou, Buduma or Yedina, as well as the Fulani or Peul.
Lake Chad is much more than just a body of water in the middle of the Sahel. It is a changing landscape, shared by farmers, fishermen, traders, and herders who have developed different ways of adapting to their environment. Some communities are primarily sedentary, while others lead a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving in response to the seasons, the availability of water, and grazing land for their livestock.
However, we would like to point out that historical and ethnographic information about these societies is not always easy to obtain and is sometimes contradictory. We have no doubt that the social complexity of this region of the world is enormous and, therefore, poses a real challenge for anyone who wishes to gain an in-depth understanding of it.
But if there’s one thing we love at Kumakonda, it’s taking on new challenges. During our trips to Chad we’ve explored the lands surrounding the lake on numerous occasions, visiting camps, sailing among its islands, and spending time with some of its inhabitants.
This article brings together our readings, research, and field experiences to provide insight into the history, customs, and ways of life of the peoples and nomads of Lake Chad.
Who are the peoples and nomads of Lake Chad?
Lake Chad spans four countries: Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. For centuries, it has been a place where societies with different languages, cultures, and ways of life have met and exchanged ideas.
Its shallow waters, vegetation-covered islands, and lands that are exposed depending on the season have fostered a variety of economic activities. Fishing, agriculture, trade, and livestock farming complement one another in an environment where movement is part of everyday life.
Among the peoples historically linked to this region are the Kanuri and the Kanembou, associated with the ancient Kanem-Bornu Empire; the Buduma or Yedina, who possess extraordinary knowledge of the lake and its islands; and the Fulani, a large family of pastoralist peoples spread throughout the Sahel.
But not everyone is a nomad, nor do all nomads travel in the same way. While some communities live in towns and cities, others periodically move their camps in search of new pastures or to follow changes in water levels.
This diversity is precisely one of the region’s greatest cultural treasures.
To better understand the region where they live, you can also read our article about Lake Chad, its natural environment, and the places we’ve visited.
History of Lake Chad: From the Sao to the Kanem-Bornu Empire
We’d like to begin by sharing a few things we’ve learned about the history of the peoples and nomads of Lake Chad, to better understand their identity today. After all, we all have roots, and we are the children of those roots.
The history of this region dates back a very long time. Over the course of millennia, the size of the lake and environmental conditions changed significantly, facilitating the settlement and migration of various populations.
The Sao and the Ancient Societies of Lake Chad
One of the oldest and best-known cultures in the basin is that of the Sao, whose presence is documented by numerous archaeological sites.
The Sao people inhabited various areas south of and around Lake Chad, particularly in territories that are now part of Chad and Cameroon. They lived in settlements that, in some cases, were protected by walls, and they developed a significant tradition of working with clay, pottery, and metals.
Agriculture, fishing, and hunting were part of their economy. Their terracotta depictions of humans and animals are among the most fascinating insights into the region’s cultural past.
The exact origins of these societies and their relationship to present-day peoples remain the subject of research. Some oral traditions link the Sao to later populations, particularly the Kotoko.
UNESCO, in its description of the Lake Chad cultural landscape, highlights the importance of this archaeological heritage and the traditional ways in which the land is used.
Over the centuries, new alliances, migrations, and conflicts would profoundly transform the region’s political structure.
Kanem-Bornu, the region’s great historical power
Historical sources mention various groups and lineages associated with the origins of the Kingdom of Kanem, including the Magumi or Maghumi. Some traditions trace their ancestors to regions further east in the Sahara and the Nile Valley, although the details of these migrations are difficult to ascertain.
What we do know is that, during the first centuries of our era—and especially throughout the first millennium—the Kanem region gradually developed an increasingly powerful political structure.
The Kingdom of Kanem, originally located northeast of Lake Chad, would eventually become one of the great historical states of the Sahel.
Over time, Islam spread among its ruling elites, strengthening political and commercial ties with the states of North Africa.
Its geographical location was strategic. The trans-Saharan trade routes connected the lands around Lake Chad with Fezzan, in present-day Libya, and with other commercial centers in the Mediterranean world.
Salt, animals, textiles, and other goods were transported along these routes, but so were enslaved people. The slave trade was an important part of the economy and power dynamics of the Sahelian states of that era.
During the 13th century, under the rule of the mai Dunama Dabbalemi, Kanem experienced one of its greatest periods of territorial and military expansion.
Its influence eventually spread across vast regions around Lake Chad and along the trade routes of the Sahara. The rulers of Kanem maintained close ties with the Islamic world, and some historical sources credit Dunama Dabbalemi with founding a lodging in Cairo for pilgrims and students from his domains.
However, internal divisions, conflicts, and pressure from other peoples gradually weakened the kingdom. During the 14th and 15th centuries, the center of power shifted to Bornu, west of the lake.
This is how what we know as the Kanem-Bornu Empire came into being—a political entity that, through various dynasties and transformations, would maintain significant influence for centuries.
In the early 19th century, the expansion of the Fulani jihad from Sokoto reached Bornu. Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi organized the resistance and ultimately established a new political power in the region.
Finally, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, regional conflicts and the colonial division of power among the British, French, and Germans profoundly transformed the old political structures.
The current borders divided territories that had maintained close economic, family, and cultural ties for centuries.
The Kanuri, Heirs to the History of Kanem-Bornu
The Kanuri (“the enlightened ones” or “the learned ones”) are one of the most important and historic peoples of Lake Chad. Their identity is deeply linked to the ancient kingdom of Bornu and the political tradition of Kanem-Bornu.
As with other large African peoples, they are organized into numerous communities and exhibit dialectal, cultural, and regional differences. Among their historical or local names are Kanouri, Yerwa, and other variants.
Found primarily in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, the Kanuri have traditionally engaged in agriculture, fishing in the vicinity of the lake, livestock raising, and trade—historically including salt.
They have also played an important role in the spread of Islam and various cultural traditions in the Lake Chad basin.
Horses are a very important symbol for them, especially in ceremonies linked to ancient power structures. The horsemen, with their elaborate attire and ornate saddles, remain a visible expression of the heritage of the Sahelian states.
Although political power in Bornu underwent profound changes as a result of the conflicts of the 19th century and subsequent European colonization, the Kanuri retain significant historical, cultural, and social influence.
Many aspects of their language, religion, and political organization influenced neighboring peoples.
It is worth noting, however, that the Kanuri are not, as a whole, a nomadic people. Most of their communities lead a sedentary lifestyle, although some families also engage in livestock herding and seasonal migrations.
The Kanembou: herders, traders, and residents of Kanem
The Kanembou, or Kanembu, are one of the Lake Chad peoples we have encountered most often on our trips.
Closely linked to the history of the Kingdom of Kanem and to the Kanuri people, they share many cultural traits with them, although they have their own language and identity.
The name “Kanembou” itself refers to the inhabitants of Kanem, the historic region located northeast of Lake Chad.
Similar to the Kanuri, many Kanembou communities are sedentary, and trade is one of their major economic activities. However, there are also families engaged in livestock raising who maintain a semi-nomadic way of life.
The Kanembou Herders and Transhumance
Among the Kanembou, some herding families move their camps with the changing seasons, searching for water and pasture for their animals.
The frequency and duration of these movements depend on rainfall, the size of the herd, and the conditions in each territory.
Cows are an essential part of their economy, although they may also raise goats, sheep, donkeys, and dromedaries.
As is the case among other pastoralist communities in Chad, livestock has a value that goes far beyond its role as a food source. It represents wealth, family heritage, and social prestige.
In addition, animals play an important role in marital relationships and in agreements between families.
Our encounters with the Kanembou
The first time we met the Kanembou people on our February 2022 trip was in a town called Ngouri. This is, in fact, an important town in the history of this people.
Just as we were passing near Ngouri, we saw a caravan of horsemen making their way through the typical Sahelian landscape. We stopped the car and noticed that a small group of musicians was following behind them. Of course, we decided to go over and ask if we could join them. The answer was yes, and filled with excitement, we followed that strange and solemn procession down the dusty street to an open square.
In that square, arranged in a circle with the musicians in the center, several dozen people gathered—mostly women and children. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the horsemen were even more so.
The horses were lavishly harnessed; the men wore large turbans and held their swords aloft. What was all that about? A wedding? A party? Well, no. It turned out to be an election rally!
That same day, our local guide in the city of Bol took us to a Kanembou camp near Lake Chad. Or at least that’s how they introduced themselves, telling us they were Kanembou, although the guide initially told us they were Buduma.
After welcoming us so warmly, they allowed us to pitch our tents in an open area covered with cow, goat, donkey, and dromedary dung from the settlement.
The camp consisted of a series of thatched huts spaced quite far apart from one another. I imagine this arrangement ensures privacy for each family unit without sacrificing the protection offered by the larger group.
The open, expansive field dotted with acacia trees between the houses is for the cows, which, when they return from pasture, spread out across the land to spend the night.
Shortly after arriving, we discovered that they had a well. It was late in the afternoon, and the women and children were gathering around it to fill their plastic jugs. It must have been built by an NGO or by UNESCO itself.
These wells, found in many parts of Chad, provide communities with safe drinking water and spare them the need to travel long distances.
Life goes on with the calm typical of these places, but without pause. An elderly woman arrives riding a donkey with her water jugs. The children help her operate the water pump. Next come two young women with their babies, and so on. The youngest children stay there, helping one another and playing. They never waste water—never.
The men at the camp told us that they rarely eat the meat from their cows and that they never sell them. That would be like eating their money—their assets. However, they do drink the milk and make butter from the cream. They also use the cows as part of a marriage dowry.
The Harvesting of Dihé or Spirulina in Kanem
Another traditional activity in some Kanembou communities is the harvesting of dihé, a food made from a cyanobacterium known commercially as spirulina.
This activity takes place primarily in the depressions and alkaline waters of the Kanem region, north and northeast of Lake Chad.
The harvesting and preparation of dihé are traditionally the responsibility of women.
Once harvested, the product is filtered and left to dry in the sun, forming dark green slabs that are sold in markets throughout the region. It is used as a food ingredient and is prized for its protein and other nutrients.
During our travels through the region, we’ve come across dihé in various markets, where it’s sold alongside other local products.
The Buduma or Yedina, the water nomads of Lake Chad
The Buduma or Bouduma, who are also known as the Yedina, are one of the most unique peoples in the Lake Chad basin.
Some ancient traditions and theories link them to the Sao people who inhabited the region, although their exact origin remains a subject of debate.
The Buduma are, above all, people who live and move about on the lake. We could consider them true nomads of the water, although the word “Buduma” means “the people of the reeds, ” likely because they build their homes and fishing boats from papyrus reeds.
No other people wanted to—or managed to—adapt to the labyrinth of islands that make up an archipelago so treacherous and confusing to human beings. And this is the secret of their independence and freedom.
Life Among the Islands of Lake Chad
The Buduma use boats of various sizes, depending on whether they are for fishing or for transporting their families, belongings, and small animals, such as goats and chickens.
Traditional buildings use plant-based materials found in the surrounding area, especially reeds and rushes. These dwellings are part of a landscape where water and land are constantly changing.
Many families move from island to island, searching for the best pastures for their herds and adapting to seasonal changes in the water levels.
However, they also go ashore when they need to trade with other communities, especially to sell or exchange dried fish and other products.
The Buduma have become very familiar with the aquatic environment from childhood onward. Boating and swimming are part of their daily lives.
Without taking anything away from the hospitality of the Kanembou, the Buduma are certainly a people who are kind to visitors, as we have seen on our trips.
On some occasions, we have come across camps made up of numerous families and large herds. Encountering one of these large groups, in the midst of a landscape of islands and water, is a fascinating experience.
In addition to herding, the Buduma also fish. Carp and catfish are common catches, which they usually prepare with rice and sauces. During one of our gatherings, they treated us to fish served on a large platter of rice (it was delicious).
Kuri Cattle and Grazing Near Water
Kuri or Kouri cows, also known as Kauri, are one of the Buduma’s most valuable assets.
This is a breed of cattle closely associated with the Lake Chad ecosystem, famous for its large size, its enormous horns, and, above all, its extraordinary ability to swim.
Cows are their wealth and the most valuable thing they own. So much so that, as a precaution, many herders are reluctant to reveal how many they have. If you ask a Buduma about his herd, he might give you an approximate number, but you’ll hardly ever know the exact figure.
We have also observed this discretion regarding livestock holdings among other pastoralist communities in Chad.
Life and daily routines revolve around the cattle. When grass becomes scarce on their chosen island, they have to move the herd to another one. So how do they do it? How can they transport dozens or hundreds of head of cattle when they only have canoes? The answer is… by swimming.
Kuri cows are capable of swimming considerable distances. It’s that simple—and that incredible. When they’re in the water, the Buduma herd them from their canoes, or jump into the water if they need to help them stay on course.
It’s impressive to see how these large cows move forward with their heads and horns raised above the surface.
If you’re near them and look closely, you’ll realize that they are very large animals with long necks and an extraordinary build.
Their relationship with the aquatic environment is one of the most remarkable examples of livestock adaptation we have encountered in Africa.
As the day draws to a close and night falls, the Buduma light bonfires so the cows will gather around them. The smoke helps keep the mosquitoes at bay, a practice we have also observed among other pastoralist peoples of Lake Chad, such as the Kanembou.
To see and experience a scene like this is to be transported back in time. In the unfathomable darkness, all you can hear are the murmurs of the cows, the crackling of the fire, and the sound of a child walking among them. These are atavistic images.
Identity and Culture of the Yedina
The Buduma people have a cultural identity that is closely tied to the lake.
The name Yedina is used by their own communities, while Buduma or Boudouma is the most widely used name in other languages.
Among the traditional features of their culture, certain facial scarifications stand out; these are still visible on men and women of certain generations.
These marks, which can form vertical lines on the face, have historically served as elements of cultural and aesthetic identity. Their use, however, is not universal and varies among individuals and across generations.
Some women also wear large nose rings, another distinctive feature we’ve noticed during our meetings.
Family ties, livestock, and knowledge of the lake continue to play a vital role in the social life of many communities. Access to the islands and pastures is governed by traditional agreements and rights that can vary from one area to another.
Although the Buduma are sometimes portrayed as an isolated people, the truth is that they maintain commercial and cultural ties with other communities in the basin.
For years, we have taken trips to their camps to learn more about their way of life, and on our most recent expeditions, we have continued to document their extraordinary relationship with the Kuri cattle.
If you’d like to learn more about thie Buduma, we’ve written a special article on the Buduma or Yedina of Lake Chad, their culture, and their Kuri cows.
A way of life shaped by changes in the lake
In the 21st century, many Buduma communities are facing significant changes.
Environmental changes and seasonal fluctuations in the water level of Lake Chad directly affect the availability of pasture, population movements, and fishing activities.
Added to this is the insecurity that has affected various areas of the basin since the 2010s. Violence by armed groups linked to the Boko Haram insurgency and the Islamic State in West Africa, as well as military operations and restrictions on movement, have disrupted the lives of numerous communities.
Some families have had to leave their usual places of residence or change their travel routes. The situation is complex and affects fishermen, farmers, and herders from different communities in various ways.
However, their knowledge of the lake and their ability to adapt to a changing environment remain fundamental aspects of the Yedina people’s identity.
The Fulani or Peul: Great Nomads of the Sahel in the Lake Chad Region
The large family of Peul or Fulani peoples is spread throughout the Sahel and much of West Africa. As one might expect, they are also found in the lands surrounding Lake Chad.
The Fulani are one of the largest pastoralist groups in Africa, although not all of them are nomads. There are sedentary communities, semi-nomadic communities, and groups that continue to make seasonal migrations with their herds.
Their presence in the Lake Chad basin has a long history, linked both to pastoralism and to the political and religious movements that transformed the Sahel. In the early 19th century, the expansion of the Fulani movement from Sokoto reached Bornu, where it encountered organized resistance led by Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi.
There are numerous groups that make up the large Fulani family, and their names vary depending on the region and context: Fulbe, Peul, Fallata, Mbororo, Wodaabe, Yayai, among others. In addition to these, there are the names of various lineages and communities.
Although they share cultural and linguistic elements, not all Fulani have the same customs or lead identical lifestyles.
In the regions near Lake Chad, we have met some pastoralist groups who continue to move about with their animals and who have preserved a material culture particularly well-suited to nomadic life.
The Yayai Fulani of Lake Chad
I’ll never forget meeting a Fulani Yayai family near Lake Chad. It was a small family unit. Only the women and children were there. The men had gone off to tend their cows.
We recognized them by their “home”—a sort of table or platform made of tree branches on which they placed all their belongings. The pots and plates stood out; in fact, they are an important part of these women’s heritage, and as such, they display them proudly.
The Fulani Yayai sleep outdoors or build simple shelters using branches and cloth. Where we found them, there were more “houses,” all partially hidden behind the large bushes on the grounds.
The simplicity of these structures perfectly suits their nomadic lifestyle. When it’s time to move on, they can pack up their belongings and transport them with relative ease.
As I mentioned, they also have cows, although these are different from those of the other nomadic peoples around Lake Chad that we had met, since many of them are a dark reddish color. They also have some goats and donkeys.
They supplement their income by making butter from their cows’ milk. It is used both as food and as a cosmetic and is highly prized even among the Tubu.
We tried to strike up a conversation with them, but it was difficult. Their gaze was a mixture of shyness, pride, determination, irony, and curiosity toward us.
They wore two braids that framed their faces, a hairstyle that, as they explained to us, they also believed had protective powers.
They wore large earrings, necklaces, and clothes that had once been brightly colored, though by then they had lost their luster due to the dust from the road and the harmattan.
That day, the dust-laden wind was blowing strongly.
We asked them about the intricate tattoos on their faces, which we found fascinating, but they were reluctant to explain why they had them.
In principle, they can play an important role in aesthetics and identity, as this is a people that places great importance on personal appearance.
They simply told us that the government had banned them, a statement we are including as part of that conversation, although we are unable to confirm the scope of that alleged ban.
Young children also had marks on their faces.
After a while, an elderly woman came over to us and sat down to watch. She smiled at me, and I felt honored to meet these nomadic peoples of Lake Chad.
The Yayai are one of the Fulani groups that interest us the most because of the uniqueness of their aesthetic, the elaborate adornments worn by their women, and the traditions we have come to know through subsequent expeditions.
Notable among these are dance and courtship ceremonies such as the Gero and the Gimul, which we have documented during our trips and which show certain similarities to the Gerewol celebrations of other Fulani groups, although they retain their own distinctive characteristics.
Beauty, personal grooming, and dance play an important role in these celebrations, which are part of the cultural heritage of the Yayai communities.
You can also read about the Wodaabe and the Gerewol festival, one of the best-known cultural events of the Fulani peoples of the Sahel.
Traditional Beliefs and Stories About Lake Chad
We don’t want to conclude this article without mentioning the beliefs and oral traditions we have come to know among some of the peoples of Lake Chad.
It’s hard to find information about them, but we’re gradually gathering data.
Various traditional tales from the region feature genies and fantastical creatures that inhabit the waters and appear to people in different forms: giant snakes, elements of nature such as trees and leaves, or beings that are half-human and half-fish.
According to some of these traditions, to maintain a good relationship with the spirits, one must make offerings at specific locations, avoid walking alone at night, and follow certain rules when sailing and fishing.
According to some stories, spirits don’t like noise.
One of the beings mentioned in these traditions is Ngamaram, described as a creature that is half human and half fish, with both masculine and feminine attributes. According to these accounts, Ngamaram can protect those who respect him and make offerings to him, but he can also punish those who violate the rules regarding his presence.
These beliefs should not be understood as shared by all the inhabitants of Lake Chad. They are part of specific oral traditions and may vary widely.
Today, Islam is the predominant religion among many of the peoples of this region, where it has been established for several centuries. However, as is the case in other parts of the Sahel, some traditions that predate or coexist with Islamization have continued to form part of the cultural memory of certain communities, although they are not always openly expressed.
Learning about these stories helps us understand that Lake Chad is not just a physical territory, but also a space steeped in cultural and symbolic meaning.
Travel to Lake Chad and Meet Its Nomadic Peoples
That concludes these notes on the peoples and nomads of Lake Chad, which we hope you find interesting.
For our part, we remain committed to gaining a better understanding of these communities, their histories, and their ways of life, knowing that there is still much to learn.
The Lake Chad basin is one of those regions where every expedition raises new questions and provides new experiences.
At Kumakonda, we organize small-group trips to experience some of these cultures, always taking into account the conditions of the terrain and the practical possibilities of each itinerary.
If you’d like to have an experience like this, check out our Trips section , where you’ll find our scheduled expeditions, including those to Chad.
Autor:
Alicia Ortego
Content writer and author of the blog “Los Viajes de Ali”. A social anthropologist by training and passionate about Africa and deserts.
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