GBCM - Zaghawa

Zaghawa

Les Zaghawa, qui se nomment eux-m�mes B�ri, sont pr�sents � travers l'Afrique centrale, au Tchad, au Niger et au Soudan. Tous les groupes, y compris les Awlad Mana, parlent le zaghawa, qui appartient � la branche saharienne de la famille des langues nilo sahariennes. Les Zaghawa habitent un territoire compos� essentiellement de zones herbeuses et de plateaux coup�s de profonds canyons, entour�s de d�serts vers le nord, l'est et l'ouest. Le r�gime pluvial, bien que souvent insuffisant, apporte aux Zaghawa une v�g�tation assez dense, puisque l'eau p�n�tre rapidement dans le sol sablonneux.

N�anmoins, durant la saison s�che, le manque d'eau peut devenir un probl�me. La mouche ts�ts�, qui v�hicule la trypanosomiase se trouve dans la partie sud du territoire. Les Zaghawa sont une ancienne soci�t� qui date du septi�me si�cle. Ils poss�daient leur propre royaume qui �tait divis�s en r�gions r�gies par des chefs, puis en castes (strictement sociales) et en clans familiaux. Les restes de cet ancien royaume peuvent toujours �tre observ�s aujourd'hui. Depuis les ind�pendances des pays o� ils se trouvent, les gouvernements respectifs ont grandement r�duit leur pouvoir. L'islam a aussi affaibli leur syst�me clanique. Aujourd'hui, les Zaghawa g�rent leur bien-�tre �conomique, leur ind�pendance politique et leur patrimoine national. Leur �conomie est bas�e sur l'�levage d'animaux, l'agriculture, la cueillette et le commerce.

Le b�tail, les moutons, les dromadaires et d'autres animaux sont �lev�s et vendus, principalement pour leur lait. Celui-ci est consomm� soit chaud, soit froid, frais ou tourn�, pur ou m�lang� � de l'eau ou du th�, en tant que bouillie m�lang� � du millet ou en tant que beurre. Le lait d'�nesse est �galement utilis� contre la toux. Les peaux d'animaux sont utilis�es pour fabriquer des v�tements et des objets en cuir, et la viande est consomm�e.

Les tubercules et le millet sont cultiv�s dans les champs, avec des l�gumes comme les oignons, les tomates, et les gombos sont plant�s dans de petits jardins entourant les maisons. Les femmes sont responsables des cultures dans les jardins. Ils ramassent �galement des herbes sauvages, des graines, des baies et d'autres fruits.De petits groupes de femmes partent en exp�ditions qui peuvent durer un mois, avec tout leur n�cessaire, dormant dans des abris faits de branches et de brass�es d'herbes pour en faire la collecte. Les graines rapport�es au village sont stock�es dans des jarres en terre. Elles profitent de leur voyage pour ramasser �galement du miel, certaines feuilles, et des criquets. Beaucoup de Zaghawa sont marchands, voyageant vers le sud et l'est pour trouver des suppl�ments et des biens manufactur�s qui manquent dans leur r�gion. Le b�tail, les moutons, les herbes sauvages et la gomme de l'acacia du S�n�gal sont �chang�s contre du th�, du sucre, de l'huile, des dates s�ch�es, du savon, des couvertures et de l'aspirine. Quelques Zaghawa sont forgerons. Ils fabriquent des outils, des armes et des bijoux. Ils font de la poterie, sculptent des objets en bois et des instruments de musique. Le cuir est tann�, le coton tiss�. Les Zaghawa chassent.

Les forgerons sont consid�r�s comme une caste inf�rieure. La plupart des villages Zaghawa poss�dent des mosqu�es utilis�es pour la pri�re. Il y a aussi l'arbre des hommes, o� ceux-ci se rassemblent pour discuter des affaires du village. Dans les villages, les jeunes filles moulent le grain et font la bouillie, alors que les jeunes gar�ons s'occupent du b�tail ou des r�coltes.

Peuple d'Afrique, Larousse.fr Article/11001973

The Zaghawa (who refer to themselves as the Beri), are scattered throughout central Africa in the countries of Chad, Niger, and Sudan. All of the groups, including the Awlad Mana, speak Zaghawa (sometimes called Beri), which belongs to the Saharan branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family.

The Zaghawa inhabit a territory that consists mainly of grassy stretches and plateaus with deep gullies; desert surrounds them to the North, East, and West. Rainfall, though sometimes inadequate, provides the Zaghawa with fairly dense vegetation, since the water can seep quickly into the sandy soil. However, during the dry months, lack of water can become a problem. The tsetse fly, which causes sleeping sickness, can also be found in the southern regions.

The Zaghawa are an ancient society dating back to the seventh century. Long ago, they had their own kingdom that was separated into chiefdoms, castes (strict social classes), and family clans. The remnants of this ancient kingdom can still be seen today.

What are their lives like?

Since the independence of Sudan, Chad, and Niger, the governments have greatly reduced the power of the Zaghawa chiefs. Also, Islam has weakened their traditional clan system. Today, the Zaghawa are concerned about their economic welfare, their political independence, and their national heritage. Their economy is based on animal husbandry, agriculture, gathering, and trading. Cattle, sheep, camels, and other animals are raised and marketed, primarily for their milk. The milk of cattle, sheep, and camels is consumed either hot or cold, sour or fresh, pure or mixed with water or tea, as a porridge mixed with millet, or as butter. The milk of a donkey may also by drunk as a remedy for coughing. Animal skins are used to make clothing and leather items, and the meat is eaten as a part of their diet.

Tubers (starchy root vegetables) and millet are grown in the fields, while vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and okra are grown in small gardens surrounding the homes. The women are responsible for cultivating these small vegetable gardens. They also gather wild grasses, seeds, berries, and other fruits. Small groups of women set out for journeys that last about a month, taking with them all that is necessary for their gathering expedition. They sleep under shelters built from branches and bundles of grass. After the gathering is complete, the various grains are stored in earthen jars, for cereals are not mixed within the same granary. In addition to the products gathered by the women, the Zaghawa may also gather honey, certain leaves, and locusts for consumption.

Many Zaghawa are merchants, traveling southward and eastward to find food supplements and manufactured goods that they lack in their own region. Cattle, sheep, wild grasses, and the gum of the Acacia Senegal are exchanged for sugar, tea, oil, blankets, dried dates, soap, and aspirin.

Some of the Zaghawa work as blacksmiths (as these craftsmen are collectively called). Their craft involves making metal tools, weapons, and jewelry; making pottery; and carving wooden stools and musical instruments. A few of the blacksmiths also tan hides, make various leather items, weave cotton, and hunt. In times past, the blacksmiths depended primarily on hunting for survival. However, since the introduction of firearms in the area, there is a limited amount of game in the region. Among the Zaghawa, blacksmiths are considered to be the lowest caste.

Most Zaghawa villages contain Islamic mosques, which are used for prayer. There is also a "men's tree," where the men gather to discuss the affairs of the village. Inside the villages, young girls may be seen grinding grain and making porridge, while the young boys help with the herds or the harvest. From the time a child is very young, he is taught the way of life that his caste will offer them.

What are their beliefs?

Since the introduction of Islam to the region in the 1600's, most of the Zaghawa have gradually converted to Islam. However, some continue to practice their ethnic religion. They are very superstitious and have a strong belief in the "evil eye." This is a curse caused by an intent gaze of an envious person. To avoid such curses, babies' faces are covered in public, charms are worn, and even houses are constructed in a certain fashion. The Zaghawa do not believe in ghosts or life after death.