Hadjarai peoples

The Hadjarai are a group of peoples comprising 6.7% of the population of

The Hadjarai groups speak diverse languages mostly belonging to the East Chadic B group, with some belonging to the unrelated Adamawa and Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi groups. However, they also share many cultural traits,^[4] the most prevalent of which is a common belief in margais, i.e., invisible spirits that control the natural elements. This belief 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.^[2][3][5]

History

Though never united in the past,

Although the Hadjarai played a crucial role in bringing to power Hissène Habré 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,^[8] and members of the group were arrested and even killed en masse.^[9] 840 of those arrested appear to have been immediately killed.^[10]

The Hadjarai became important supporters of Idriss Déby's rebellion against the President and contributed to Habré's downfall in 1990.^[11] 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.^[12]

References