Chad Rising: A History of Chad from Empires to Independence and Beyond

In The History of Chad: From the Sao to the Sahel, you’ll journey through:

• The mysteries of the Sao people, who left their mark in legends and artifacts beneath Lake Chad.

• The rise and fall of the Kanem-Bornu Empire, one of Africa’s medieval superpowers.

• The struggles of colonial conquest, forced labor, and cotton fields under French rule.

• The turbulent path from independence under François Tombalbaye to the reigns of Hissène Habré and Idriss Déby.

• The impact of oil wealth, insurgencies, and the fight against Boko Haram, which thrust Chad into global headlines.

• The enduring spirit of its people, whose music, dance, crafts, and traditions keep the nation’s identity alive.

Today, Chad stands at a crossroads: democracy or military rule, fragility or renewal, despair or hope. This book is about a nation often overlooked just as much about how history, culture, and resilience shape the destiny of a people in one of the most strategic corners of Africa.