Bagirmi people


The Bagirmi or Barma are a Central African ethnic group who inhabit the Chari-Baguirmi region of Chad. They are one of Chad's major ethnic groups.

Social structure

Language

The Bagirmi mostly speak the Bagirmi language as their native language, although some of them speak Fula or Chadian Arabic instead.

Religion

Their main religion is Islam. Islam was introduced to the Bagirmi by the start of the 17th century, however it never fully replaced their traditional beliefs.

Government

Bagirmi society has a royal family and their king is known as mbang, a tradition that dates back to the Sultanate of Bagirmi.

Economy

The Bagirmi mainly cultivate sorghum and millet and raise cattle, chickens, goats and sheep.

Notable Bagirmi