World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
N’Djamna offers a fair selection of restaurants serving mainly French and African food.
Chad’s excellent beer, Gala, is brewed in Moundou and is widely available in the non-Muslim parts of the capital. Standard European-style service is normal. Outside the capital, restaurants tend to be cheap and cheerful and there is an acute shortage of some foodstuffs. Visitors should exercise caution with street market food.

Nightlife
Lively dancing and music is to be found in the capital, where there is an increasing number of nightclubs. Pari-matches take place on most Saturdays and Sundays in N’Djamna (non-Muslim areas): groups of women hire bars and sell drinks all day. Outside N’Djamna, nightlife is limited, although bars and open-air dancing can generally be found.

Shopping
Chad has an excellent crafts industry. Items include camel-hair carpets, all kinds of leatherware, embroidered cotton cloths, decorated calabashes, knives, weapons, pottery and brass animals. Shopping hours: Tues-Sat 0900-1230 and 1600-1930. Food shops open Sunday morning. The market in the capital is open from 0730 until dusk.

Special Events
Celebrations in Chad are largely confined to Muslim feasts and festivals, and private, tribe-specific ceremonies.

Social Conventions
Chadians are a relaxed and friendly people, but respect for traditional beliefs and customs is expected. Dress is informal but conservative in respect of Muslim laws. There is strict segregation of women in the Muslim areas. It is customary to shake hands. The left hand should never be used for offering or accepting food, nor should the sole of the foot be exposed in the presence of a Muslim. Identification should be carried at all times; failure to do so may result in detention by police. Photography: It is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Information in order to take photographs. Photographing military sites, airports and official buildings is prohibited. Other photography requires a government permit. Tipping: 10 per cent is normal for most services (US Dollars are the preferred currency).