Chad Celebrates Nomadic Heritage at Saharan Festival | chadtravelandtours
The city of Amdjarass in northeastern Chad is hosting the International Festival of Saharan Culture, bringing together nomadic communities from across the Sahel for traditional camel races, music and cultural exchanges aimed at fostering peace and regional unity.
For the sixth year running, dancers, musicians, storytellers, craftspeople and camel drivers from countries including Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania are gathered in Amdjarass for a week-long celebration of desert heritage. The event features concerts, parades, artisan exhibitions, regional food and more than 400 dromedaries participating in equestrian displays and races.
Organisers and participants say the festival is more than entertainment. At the opening ceremony, Aghaichata Guichene Atta, Niger’s minister of crafts and tourism and guest of honour, described the event as a way to build understanding and mutual respect among Saharan peoples in a region facing conflict, climate stress and social fragmentation. “Culture remains a space for encounter and dialogue, enabling us to understand and respect each other and build together,” she said.
Camel races and equestrian displays are among the festival’s signature attractions. These competitions underscore the historical and cultural importance of camels and horses to nomadic life across the Sahara and Sahel, where they have long been symbols of mobility, resilience and community identity.
Beyond performances, Amdjarass’ festival village showcases traditional crafts such as pottery, leatherwork and weaving. Local artisans and visiting delegations trade goods and share techniques, offering a rare platform for cultural exchange among groups whose ways of life span vast desert landscapes.
The event also draws political attention. Chad’s prime minister visited the cultural village to engage with exhibitors and foreign delegations, underscoring the government’s interest in promoting tourism, heritage preservation and regional cooperation. Gifts exchanged between officials including traditional textiles and ceremonial objects highlighted ties between participating nations.
After a hiatus of several years, the festival’s return reflects renewed efforts to use culture as a bridge amid broader challenges across the Sahel. Organisers say Amdjarass has become a hub for reinforcing shared identity among nomadic and desert communities while attracting visitors and boosting local economic activity.
