Mango in Chad

People Name:	Mango
Country:	Chad
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	113,000
World Population:	113,000
Primary Language:	Mango
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	70.00 %
Evangelicals:	20.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Sara-Bagirmi
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Mango live in the south of Chad in the region called Logone Oriental. There are about 250 main villages spread across the political districts of Doba, Kara and Ninya-Pende. The main town of the area is Doba, a historical, cultural and economic centre. Their neighbours are the Gouley to the north, the Morom to the northeast, the Bedjondo to the east, the Gor, Nangda and Beboto to the south, the Kaba to the southwest, and the Ngambay to the west. They understand well the languages of the Beboto, Bedjondo, Gor and Ngambay. With the other neighbours they communicate in Ngambay.

The Mango are mostly farmers who cultivate millet, corn, peanuts, cotton, and other crops, tend fruit trees (mainly mangos) and raise small animals such as goats, sheep, chickens, but also a few cows. Mangos and cotton are sold within Chad. They depend on rainfall during rainy season (April - September). The lack of rain leads to famine and suffering for the whole population.

Practice of their traditional religion is still very strong among the Mango. Nevertheless there are about 106 Christian churches and congregations in the area, most of which belong to the evangelical denomination "Assemble Chretiennes au Tchad". There are 65 more or less trained pastors to serve those churches; the others are lead by a council of elders. The Catholic diocese of Doba covers the whole area as well.

The literacy rate is extremely low. Tearfund has been sponsoring a literacy project since 1998. Through this project about 900 adults have become literate. There are few functioning schools in the area.