In the heart of the Sahel, far from any conventional route, Chad remains one of the most unknown and fascinating territories in Africa. This trip “tribes of Chad” is a pioneering expedition that takes us to explore some of the most remote nomadic and sedentary cultures of the continent.
We will travel at a time of year when life is shifting, transforming and celebrating and travelers will witness these transhumances in the Lake Chad Basin. And we will attend the rare Gerewol of Lake Chad, an authentic, powerful and unknown ceremony in the traveler’s world, which we discovered on previous trips.
Our years of research and numerous trips in this region guarantee us to go one step further each year.
Our trip will continue to the south of Chad, near the Central African Republic, to meet the Sara culture. Our objective is to enter the world of rituals and initiations that take place there during school vacations.
Tribes of Chad: the Lake Chad Basin
At this time of the year of seasonal change it is common to find numerous nomadic groups on the move along the Lake Chad basin: Fulani, Arabs, Buddhumas and Kredas, accompanying their seasonal movements and sharing space with their herds. This is not the first time we have visited this region and we know it is a wonderful sight.
We will travel along the tracks in search of settlements and visit Mao, former capital of the great Kanem Bornu empire, where with a little luck we will be able to greet the Sultan of Kanen and may be able to see a small Kanembou ceremony with its impressive musical instruments and dances.
Another of our objectives will be to attend one of the lesser known celebrations, the Gerewol of the Yayai, a people belonging to the great Fulani family.
We invite you to read this article Introduction to the peoples and nomads of Lake Chad published in our blog.
Buduma shepherds “the people of the pastures”.
The Buduma, the people of the grasslands or the people who know how to swim, are a semi-nomadic people living on Lake Chad. We will travel to a gigantic, seasonal camp where they are settled with their Kouri or Kuri cows.
The Kaouri or Kuri cows, a species endemic to Lake Chad, are a perfect example of adaptation to the environment. With their huge, thick horns, they can swim in the waters of Lake Chad and move from island to island.
The “Gerewol” of Lake Chad
The Gerewol of the Yayai is a ceremony of beauty, dance and courtship that we learned about in October 2025 and has barely been documented. To witness it, we will visit another huge nomadic camp of this tribe.
The Yayai ceremonies are Gimul and Gero, and they are two tremendously energetic ritual dances. The Gero has many similarities with the Gerewol that we already know, and the Gimul is a frenetic dance where men and women mix. In both cases, it is a celebration where beauty and courtship are the center of attention.
Southern Chad: in search of the Sara (prospecting)
The second part of the route takes us to the south of Chad, to the territory of the Sara, in a phase of cultural prospection that places us in unexplored terrain.
For several days we will enter a region practically absent from travel itineraries. Once again we will be pioneers in the search for ancestral traditions and nomadic cultures in this country.
From June to September, male and female initiations take place. We can not guarantee or assure any ceremony, but we think it will be very interesting to discover and perhaps be able to attend ritual dances of the Sara.
Sara initiation rites: Ndo and Yondo
Ndo is the male initiation rite, symbolizing the entrance of young boys into adulthood. This ritual involves several steps, often marked by physical and psychological trials.
Ndo is designed to forge qualities such as courage, endurance and respect for social norms. Those undergoing initiation undergo purification rituals and training, and receive teachings based on the values and responsibilities of adult life.
Yondo Bagne is the initiation of women, and it is also a significant transition to adulthood. In this case it focuses on the identity and status of women in society. This rite is perceived as a social recognition, granting a special status to initiate women.
Ndo and Yondo rites are much more than isolated ceremonies; they are part of the larger social and economic framework. For example, preparing meals for men, performed by initiated women, strengthens community ties and highlights the importance of gender roles.
These rites also embody a deep attachment to traditions and the land, connecting individuals to their cultural identity and social group.
Despite the growing influence of religions such as Christianity and Islam, Ndo and Yondo remain pillars of Sara culture, offering social structure and intrinsic value to the community.
This is not an ordinary trip. It is a demanding, open and deeply exploratory expedition, in which we return to Chad with the same spirit that led us years ago to discover Lake Chad and the south of the country: to move forward without certainties, to let ourselves be guided by the context and to continue to expand our frontiers by getting to know the tribes of Chad in one of the most authentic countries of the continent.
