Exploring the 'Green Sahara' in Chad's Desert North
In the heart of Chad, the Natural and Cultural Reserve of Ennedi (RNCE) continues to reveal its ancient mysteries. Created in 2018, the RNCE, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016, spans over 50,000 square kilometers (19,305 square miles) and is home to a rich archaeological heritage.
Recent archaeological missions, led by Djimet Guemona, an archaeologist at the National Center for Research and Development, have been shedding light on the region's past. The mission in July 2021, for instance, focused on the Gaora Hallagana site in Ennedi West province. The objective was to lay the first cornerstone of the chronological framework for ancient settlements in Ennedi.
Fragments of pottery collected by Celestin Gabi, a Chadian doctoral student, could potentially date back to 7,000 BC, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabited the region during the Early Holocene period. The digs aim to deepen our understanding of these early inhabitants, with a particular focus on their adaptation to increasingly dry conditions.
Tourism is the primary means of self-funding the preservation of the Ennedi heritage, according to Hamid Kodi. However, certain areas of the Ennedi region have long been inaccessible due to its tumultuous history. To attract more tourists, the Chadian authorities are drafting a tourist development plan.
The South African organization, African Parks, has been helping to run the RNCE since its inclusion on the UNESCO list. African Parks is the second biggest employer in the province after the state, with 149 staff. The organization promotes responsible management and supports local people, particularly by assigning management roles to young people in the region.
Currently, only a handful of travel agencies cater to wealthy tourists in the area. However, Oumar, an unspecified individual, believes that a better understanding of the heritage will attract more tourists, thereby creating more opportunities for the local community.
Remnants of shells and tank debris from the Chad-Libya war of 1978 to 1987 are still present in the area, serving as a stark reminder of the region's turbulent past. Despite this, the archaeological mission continues, with the next step being to organize large-scale digs.
The RNCE, with its wealth of engravings and paintings on the rocky walls, continues to hold secrets that are yet to be uncovered. As the archaeological mission progresses, we can look forward to a deeper understanding of the people who once called this region home.
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