The Fongoro, Kole or Gelege are an ethnic group of

Sudan Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa. It borders the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Libya to the northwest, Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Eritrea and Ethiopi ...

and

Chad Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of North Africa, North and Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to Chad–Libya border, the north, Sudan to Chad–Sudan border, the east, the Central Afric ...

; about 1,000 members of this ethnic group live in the

Sila Region Sila or Dar Sila is a provinces of Chad, province of Chad, located in the south-east of the country. It was created in 2008 from the departments of Sila Department, Sila and Djourf Al Ahmar Department, Djourf Al Ahmar which were previously part o ...

along the Sudanese border. The primary language is Fongoro.

History

The Fongoro have been pushed into their present location as a consequence of

Fur A fur is a soft, thick growth of hair that covers the skin of almost all mammals. It consists of a combination of oily guard hair on top and thick underfur beneath. The guard hair keeps moisture from reaching the skin; the underfur acts as an ...

and Arab expansion since the 18th century. The present Fongoro are facing rapid assimilation, where many living in cities and towns populated by Furs are becoming assimilated.

Culture

The Fongoro engage in hunting and gathering. Some Fongoro also engage in farming, mainly cultivating sorghum. The Fongoro adhere to Islam.

References

Ethnic groups in Chad Ethnic groups in Sudan {{Chad-stub