The Dazaga are sometimes referred to as Gouran (or Gorane, Goran, Gourane).The Daza (Dazaga, Dasa, Dazagara, Gouran, Gorane, Goran, Gourane), a Muslim people of Chad and Niger, are fierce and independent.
The Daza and the Teda (Toda) are closely related groups within the Toubou (Tibu, Tibbu, Tebu, Tebou, Todga, Todaga, Toda, Tuda, Tubu, Umbararo) ethnic group.
The Daza are considered the southern group of the Teda. They speak the Teda language, which is closely related to the Kanuri and Zaghawa languages and belongs to the Saharan group of the Nilo-Saharan language family.
The Daza live along the fringe of the Sahara Desert, which, through its relentless expanse, has destroyed many of their historical pasture lands. They have great endurance and the ability to go for long periods of time with little food or water.
Traditionally, the Daza raised cattle, camels and goats. Most of their income comes from selling livestock. Today, the men occasionally find steady work in towns or cities.
In addition to pastoralism, the Daza also practice agriculture, particularly near oases where irrigation is possible. They cultivate crops like dates, grains, and vegetables in small gardens that require significant manual labor. The availability of water from ephemeral streams, wells, and other sources is crucial for their agricultural activities. The Daza also participate in caravan trade, which historically has been an important economic activity in the Sahara, facilitating the exchange of goods across the desert.
Today, Daza men find work in towns or cities while Daza women remain at home to cook and clean. Their primary income still comes from the selling of animals.
Settlements in the Sahara, including those of the Daza, are typically found in areas where meager vegetation can support grazing animals or where reliable water sources are available. These settlements are often located near oases, which allow for limited agriculture through irrigation. In these oases, crops such as date palms, pomegranates, millet, barley, and wheat are cultivated in small gardens maintained by intensive manual labor. Water for irrigation is sourced from ephemeral streams, permanent pools, underground tunnels (foggaras), springs, and wells. However, the expansion of these settlements is strictly limited by water availability, and overuse can lead to a decline in water levels and soil salinization.
Daza's housing varies between palm-thatched, rectangular mud houses and cylindrical huts made of mud or stone with conical thatch, reflecting their adaptation to the harsh desert environment.
Daza men wear loose-fitting draw-string pants under long-sleeved robes. Their clothing is usually white, and they often wear turbans or small Muslim caps. Daza women traditionally wear long wrap-around dresses and head coverings. Modesty requires that women cover their arms, legs and heads. Jewelry is also an important part of the women's adornment. Although the Daza are not required to wear veils, they often wear them for protection against the sun, dust or cold weather.
Daza society is male-dominated.
Their society is Islamic, and while they have a sultan, real power often lies with local herdsmen. Descent is patrilineal, and marriage involves a livestock payment from the groom's family to the bride's. Polygyny is permitted but not very common.
In terms of social structure have a hierarchical system where real power often lies with local herdsmen who inherit their positions. The society is patrilineal, with descent traced through the father's line.
Islam is part of the Daza's cultural identity. There is great social pressure to participate in prayers and fasting. Giving to the poor is also very important. Though strictly committed to Islam, the Daza do incorporate some animistic practices (belief that non-living objects have spirits) into their religious activities. These include animal sacrifices to obtain healing. Islam seems to have very little impact on personal character, especially among the youth, which suggests that the Daza are Muslim in name only. However, there are still many devout and sincere Muslims among the Daza.
Marriages are often arranged, and gifts are exchanged between the couples' families. Some of the Daza practice polygamy, since Islam allows the men to have up to four wives. A second wife is especially desirable if the first wife does not conceive. Close relationships tend to be directed outside the home, rather than within the family. Marriage is not thought of in romantic ideals, and divorce is common.
Among the Daza people marriage involves a payment from the groom's family to the bride's family, typically in the form of livestock. This practice reflects the patrilineal nature of their society, where descent is traced through the father's line. While polygyny is permitted within the Daza community, it is only moderately common. Additionally, marriage between first cousins is forbidden, indicating specific cultural norms regarding familial relationships and marriage practices.
The Daza have a kinship system that is patrilineal, meaning descent is traced through the father's line. This system influences various aspects of their social structure, including inheritance and familial responsibilities. In their society, marriage involves a payment from the groom's family to the bride's family, typically in the form of livestock. Additionally, marriage between first cousins is prohibited, reflecting specific cultural norms regarding kinship and familial relationships.
Daza (also known as Dazaga) is a Nilo-Saharan language spoken by the Daza people (a sub-group of the Toubou people) inhabiting northern Chad and eastern Niger. The Daza are also known as the Gouran (Gorane) in Chad.
Dazaga is spoken by around 700,000 people, primarily in the Djurab Desert region and the Borkou region, locally called Haya or Faya-Largeau northern-central Chad, in Kanem there is a lot of Daza around 300,000, the capital of the Dazaga people. Dazaga is spoken in the Tibesti Mountains of Chad (606,000 speakers), in eastern Niger near N'guigmi and to the north (93,200 speakers).
The two primary dialects of the Dazaga language are Daza and Kara, but there are several other mutually intelligible dialects, including Kaga, Kanobo, Taruge and Azza. It is closely related to the Tedaga language, spoken by the Teda, the other out of the two Toubou people groups, who reside primarily in the Tibesti Mountains of northern Chad and in southern Libya near the city of Sabha.
Dazaga is a Nilo-Saharan language and a member of the Western Saharan branch of the Saharan subgroup which also contains the Kanuri language, Kanembu language and Tebu languages. Tebu is further divided into Tedaga and Dazaga. The Eastern Saharan branch includes the Zaghawa language and Berti language.
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