Darfurs

Darfurs are the inhabitants of Darfur, a region in western Sudan. The term is used to refer collectively to several ethnic groups living in the area, most prominently the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa, as well as smaller communities. Darfur is divided into five administrative states: North Darfur, South Darfur, West Darfur, Central Darfur, and East Darfur. The region lies in a semi-arid zone with a mix of savanna and river basins, and its communities rely on seasonal rainfall, pastoralism, and agriculture.

Most Darfurs practice Islam, and Arabic serves as the common lingua franca. Local languages such as Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa are spoken alongside Arabic. Social life centers on extended families, clans, and traditional authorities. Livelihoods are based on subsistence farming and pastoralism, with crops such as millet and sorghum grown alongside cattle, goats, and camels.

Historically, Darfur was the center of the medieval Sultanate of Darfur, which emerged in the 16th century and lasted into the 19th century. It later became part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and, after 1956, part of independent Sudan. In the early 2000s, armed conflict involving government forces, allied militias, and rebel groups escalated into a broader crisis known as the Darfur conflict, drawing international humanitarian attention and leading to peace processes and peacekeeping efforts.

Today, the Darfur region faces ongoing humanitarian challenges, including displacement, restricted access to basic services, and recovery needs. Humanitarian agencies operate in camps and host communities, with cross-border assistance flowing into neighboring Chad to aid refugees and affected residents.