Daza

The Daza people are a subgroup of the Teda, who inhabit the eastern and central Sahara regions of Chad, Niger, and Libya. Their language, Teda, is part of the Nilo-Saharan language family. The Daza are known to be nomadic herdsmen or farmers who cultivate crops like dates, grains, legumes, and roots near oases. They also raise livestock such as cattle, goats, donkeys, camels, and sheep, and engage in caravan trade. Sedentary Daza villagers typically live in mud houses or huts made of mud or stone with thatched roofs. The Daza are Muslim, and while some groups have a sultan, local herdsmen often hold real power. Descent is traced through the father's line, and marriage involves a bride-price, usually in livestock.1