The Daza are known for their fighting and are disliked and feared by some of their neighbors. Many Daza, including the women, carry daggers under the sleeves of their garments. They think highly of themselves and take pride in their reputation as warriors. They are well known for their ability to go for long periods of time with little food or water.

Although the Daza have black skin, many have facial features associated with Caucasians. One theory suggests that they once intermarried with Europeans. Today, some intermarry with Arabs, which may also yield a lighter skin color in later generations.

What Are Their Lives Like?
Traditionally, the Daza herded cattle, camels, and goats. Unfortunately, the expanding Sahara Desert has destroyed many of the pasture lands that are necessary for supporting cattle. Today, the men occasionally find steady work in towns or cities. Daza women work at home and are responsible for cooking and cleaning. Income is primarily received by selling animals.

Daza men wear loose-fitting draw-string pants under long-sleeved robes. Their clothing is usually white, and they often wear turbans or small Muslim caps. Daza women traditionally wear long wrap-around dresses and head coverings. Modesty requires that women cover their arms, legs, and heads. Jewelry is also an important part of the women's adornment. Although the Daza are not required to wear veils, they often wear them for protection against the sun, dust, or cold weather.

Daza society is male-dominated. Marriages are often arranged, and gifts are exchanged between the couples' families. Some of the Daza practice polygamy, since Islam allows the men to have up to four wives. A second wife is especially desirable if the first wife does not conceive. Close relationships tend to be directed outside the home, rather than within the family. Marriage is not thought of in romantic ideals, and divorce is common.

Most Daza draw their water from wells, and often it is not very clean. Although their shelters are adequate, they do not provide protection from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Sanitation and health services are poor, and most Daza have no access to electricity.

What Are Their Beliefs?
Islam is part of the Daza's cultural identity. There is great social pressure to participate in prayers and fasting. Giving to the poor is also very important. Though strictly committed to Islam, the Daza do incorporate some animistic practices (belief that non-living objects have spirits) into their religious activities. These include animal sacrifices to obtain healing. Islam seems to have very little impact on personal character, especially among the youth, which suggests that the Daza are Muslim in name only. However, there are still many devout and sincere Muslims among the Daza.

Unfortunately, Christianity has had no real influence on the Daza. The harsh desert climate and geographical remoteness of the region have made it an uninviting place for missionary work. A small group of Catholic nuns has been living among the Daza since the 1970's. However, they have made no attempt to convert the Daza from Islam. It has been only in the past three years that any evangelical ministries have focused their attention on the Daza.

What Are Their Needs?
Many Daza lost nearly everything they had during the severe droughts of the 1970's and 1980's. As a whole, the Daza are very poor and diseases are common health concerns. There are no medical facilities available to most Daza; and even in the few towns where there are medical clinics, medicines are often not available and clinic conditions are inadequate. Common social problems include divorce, adultery, prostitution, and slavery.

• Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Chad and minister the love and compassion of Christ to the Daza.
• Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Dazaga language.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Daza towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will deliver the Daza from their violent, warring lifestyle.
• Ask God to raise up teams of medical missionaries to go to Chad and work among the Daza.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that have kept the Daza bound for many generations.
• Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Daza.
• Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Daza by the year 2000.

See also these other Sahelian groups: the Zaghawa of Central Africa, the Kanembu of Chad, the Teda of Chad, the Daza of Chad.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Daza
• Country: Chad
• Their language: Dazaga
• Population: (1990) 183,100
  (1995) 209,800
  (2000) 241,000
• Largest religion: Muslim (Malikite) 100%
• Christians: 0%
• Church members: 0
• Scriptures in their own language: None
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 12,600 (6%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 0 (0%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 12,600 (6%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 197,200 (94%)

• Country: Chad
• Population: (1990) 5,553,300
  (1995) 6,360,700
  (2000) 7,306,700
• Major peoples in size order: Shuwa 21.5%
  Sara Gambai 10.9%
  Teda 4.3%
  Daza 3.3%
  Marfa 3.2%
• Major religions: Muslim 46%
  Christian 35.3%
  Ethnic religionist 18.4%
• Number of denominations: 15