Written by: Mohammed Omran

The Bodoma people are one of the ancient Arab communities in ChadThey have lived in the country for hundreds of years, especially in the south-central and western regions near Lake Chad, and form part of the social fabric of the African Sahel region.

A historical Arab community living between herding and adapting to the changes of the coast

The Buduma belong to a single ethnic group that branches out into a number of tribes and lineages that share common cultural and linguistic origins. They also speak dialects of Chadian Arabic, reflecting their historical connection to the waves of Arab migration that spread in the region over many centuries.

Social transformations in the Boudouma area near N'Djamena

Their presence in Chad is linked to ancient Arab migrations across the African coast, which contributed to strengthening traditional trade networks and spreading Islam in the region, as well as establishing lifestyles based on grazing and seasonal movement.

The Bodoma are mainly dependent on livestock breeding, including camels, cows, goats, sheep and horses, with pastoral activity being the backbone of their economy and social organization, along with some limited agricultural activities and local trade.

During the rainy season, members of the community spread out across wide areas of the Lake Chad Basin in search of pasture and temporary water, while in the dry season they tend to settle relatively in uncultivated agricultural lands, with grazing movement regulated through customary agreements with neighboring communities.

The social structure of the Bodhma is characterized by reliance on the extended family and tribal leadership, with a prominent role for local customs and Islamic principles in resolving conflicts and promoting social cohesion.

In recent years, some areas near the capital N’Djamena have witnessed a gradual shift among some members of the Bodoma towards relative stability, as a result of urban expansion and increasing economic opportunities.