Tama in Sudan

Introduction / History

The Tama in Chad are in the Guereda/Biltine prefectures. They also live in the Darfur region of Sudan. Many of the latter have fled to other parts of Sudan or into Chad. Famine and war cause frequent exchanges of refugees between Chad and Sudan.

There are a number of Tama subgroups, but some of them don’t fall neatly into any one of these. Such people we simply call Tama.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The chief of the traditional Tama leaders is a sultan who is based in Guereda. He consults with a council of elders. He also has several Chadian government soldiers under his command. The sultan's successor will be chosen from among his sons.

Most Tama are subsistence farmers who grow millet, peanuts, sorghum, beans, garlic, onions and tomatoes. Some have orchards where they grow mangos or guavas. Camel and cattle owners have lost most of their animals to thieves in recent years. There is rarely enough surplus to last a second year if the rains do not come. Often the men travel with their animals to find grass during part of the year. They built village houses and fences with straw or grass with mud brick constructions normally only seen in towns.

Extreme poverty and lack of hope means that alcohol (millet beer) is a big problem for many Tama.

Most Tama men have lived an average of 4-5 years outside of their traditional region, while women rarely go further afield than their nearest big market unless they become refugees in times of drought or war.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tama have all been Muslim since the 1600s. They mix Islam with animistic practices such as amulets for protection against evil spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

Finding trained teachers willing to work in isolated regions is very difficult and often schools are left without teachers or with sub-standard teachers. The sultan would like to see the development of a better educational system (teacher training plus school buildings), medical dispensaries established and staffed, roads improved (so that products can be transported to larger markets and sold at higher prices), training for women in marketable skills, wells dug in or near villages and towns, and construction of dams to conserve water. Lack of water is a serious problem for the Tama and their livestock. When there is an abundance of rain, their roads are often too muddy to use.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Tama peoples will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for a movement to Christ among them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project