In the heart of the Sahelian belt, where the borders of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria converge, lies one of the most extraordinary cultural landscapes on our planet – the Lake Chad Cultural Landscape. Once a vast expanse of freshwater, this region, currently covering just 17,000 square kilometres, is not only a unique ecological treasure but also a living testimony to the rich cultural heritage that has thrived here for millennia. Yet, the relentless advance of climate change now threatens to erode not just the physical landscape but the very traditions and cultural identities that have shaped the lives of millions in this region.
Lake Chad often referred to, as a ‘miracle in the desert,’ has historically been a vital source of life in a harsh climatic environment. The lake’s shores, where desert sands meet water in a complex network of meanders, have been transformed by the ingenuity of local communities into areas of cultivation, fishing, and livestock breeding. For centuries, these communities, including the Kanuri, Fulani, Gwoza, Babur-Burra, Ngizim, Bolewa, Kare-Kare, Hausa, Kotoko, and Barma, have thrived by maintaining a delicate balance with nature, perpetuating a symbiotic relationship that has allowed them to endure the region’s climatic challenges.
However, the impact of climate change is now profoundly disrupting this balance. Over the past six decades, Lake Chad has shrunk by a staggering 90%, largely due to a combination of prolonged droughts, desertification, and unsustainable water management practices. This drastic reduction in water levels has not only endangered the region’s biodiversity but has also had severe consequences for the cultural heritage of the area.
Heritage has often been overlooked in mainstream discussions on sustainable development, despite its critical importance to societies and the widely acknowledged potential it holds to contribute towards social, economic, and environmental objectives. On 19th November 2015, the 20th General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention took a significant step by adopting a policy on the Integration of the Sustainable Development Dimension into the World Heritage Convention Processes.
In Nigeria’s north-eastern states of Borno and Yobe, the effects of this environmental degradation are particularly stark. These states, deeply entwined with the history of Lake Chad, boast some of the most significant cultural heritages and monuments in the country. Yet, these invaluable sites are increasingly at risk due to the encroaching desert and the changing climate.
One such heritage is the Dufuna Canoe, discovered in 1987 in Fune Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State. This 8,500-year-old artefact, one of the oldest boats ever found, is a remarkable testament to the early human ingenuity in the region. The canoe’s discovery not only provided insights into ancient watercraft but also highlighted the significance of Lake Chad as a hub of human activity since the Paleolithic era. Today, the very environment that preserved this ancient relic is, according to Mr. Ralph Mamza, a curator at the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Damaturu, under threat, left poorly attended-to at the museum in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, with acute scarcity in the supply of preservation chemicals. This is coupled with near-total absence of tourism value. These are posing a significant risk to the canoe’s preservation.
Similarly, the Gazargamu Ruins in Geidam LGA of Yobe State, once the capital of the powerful Kanem-Bornu Empire, face the peril of neglect and further degradation due to the region’s remoteness from urban centres, intermittent terrorist (Boko Haram) attacks, and increasingly arid climate conditions. The ruins, which narrate the story of a civilisation that once ruled vast swathes of a combination of the parts of present-day West, Central, and North Africa, are now at risk of being lost to the sands of time as the climate continues to change.
In Borno State, the Rabeh Fortress in Dikwa, built by the infamous Rabeh Zubairu in the 19th century, stands as a symbol of resistance and conflict during the period of European colonisation. However, the fortress, along with the surrounding structures, is now vulnerable to the same climatic pressures that are threatening the very existence of the lake it once guarded. The fortress being built of dried mud brick faces crumbling threats due to rain and strong arid winds during dry seasons. The once fertile land surrounding the fortress has gradually turned to desert, eroding the foundations of this historical site. Unfortunately, the fortress suffers from the lack of tourism value.
Beyond tangible heritage, the intangible cultural practices of the region are equally under threat. The annual Bade Fishing Festival in Yobe State, a tradition that has been passed down through generations, is now struggling to survive as the river that once supported it dwindles and the mostly agrarian farming communities are now suffering from food insecurity, and other mean political and socio-economic conditions that negatively affect their socio-cultural morale. This festival, which not only celebrates the community’s fishing heritage but also serves as a crucial cultural gathering, is a vivid example of how climate change is eroding the social fabric of these communities.
Similarly, the Machina Traditional Wrestling and Durbar Festival in Yobe State, and the Sallah Durbar at the Palace of the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri, face uncertainties as changing climatic conditions disrupt traditional agricultural cycles and community gatherings, thus bringing about the ‘flourishing’ of abject poverty, starvation, illiteracy and rarefying social and cultural conscience from among the people. These are worsened by the protracted Boko Haram insurgency and irking humanitarian crisis in the region. These festivals, deeply rooted in the agricultural rhythms of the region, are essential expressions of cultural identity. Yet, as climate change continues to alter these rhythms, the festivals may face significant challenges in maintaining their traditional significance.
The situation in the Lake Chad Basin is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing cultural heritage in the face of climate change. According to a UNESCO report, “climate change is not only affecting the physical integrity of heritage sites but also threatening the living heritage and traditional knowledge systems that communities have developed over centuries.” The case of Lake Chad is particularly poignant because it highlights the interconnectedness of natural and cultural heritage – when one is threatened, the other inevitably suffers.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the Lake Chad region. Initiatives such as the BIOPALT (BIOsphère et Patrimoines du Lac Tchad) project, coordinated by UNESCO and the Lake Chad Basin Commission, aim to safeguard the natural and cultural resources of the area. This project, which seeks to inscribe the Lake Chad Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List, offers a glimmer of hope by promoting sub-regional cooperation and integration to protect these invaluable heritages.
However, the preservation of Lake Chad’s cultural heritage requires more than just international efforts. It necessitates a concerted effort at the national and local levels to address the root causes of climate change and environmental degradation. This includes adopting sustainable water management practices, promoting reforestation, and supporting the resilience of local communities.
As the climate continues to change, the stakes could not be higher. The cultural heritage of the Lake Chad Basin, from the ancient Dufuna Canoe to the vibrant traditions of the Kanuri people, is not just a link to the past – it is a vital part of the identity and future of the region’s people. Preserving these heritages is not just about protecting history; it is about ensuring that the communities of Lake Chad can continue to thrive and pass on their traditions to future generations.
In the words of a local elder from the Bade community, “Our traditions are like the roots of a tree. If the roots die, the tree cannot stand.” The time to act is now, before the roots of Lake Chad’s cultural heritage are lost forever.
Furthermore, Lake Chad is crucial to the history of humanity. The 7 million year old Toumaï skull, the ancestor of humanity, was discovered in the Lake Chad Basin, on the border between Chad and Niger. Unfortunately, the lake area is among the areas with the lowest development index on the planet.
In 1964, recognising the critical importance of Lake Chad, the four bordering nations formed the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). The Commission’s mandate is clear: to manage the lake and its shared water resources sustainably, preserve the basin’s ecosystems, and promote regional integration, peace, and security. Over the years, the LCBC has been instrumental in harmonising management procedures across borders, ensuring that the lake’s dwindling resources are used equitably and responsibly.
Despite these efforts, Lake Chad’s challenges are numerous. The lake’s size has diminished by 90% since the 1960s, largely due to climate change and overuse of its water. The German International Development Cooperation Agency predicts a further loss of 4–10% of water resources by the end of the century. This grim forecast signals dire consequences for agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing – key economic activities for millions of people in the region.
Moreover, the region’s instability exacerbates these challenges. The rise of Boko Haram that emerged in Nigeria in the early 2000s has had devastating effects on the local population. The group’s violent activities have led to widespread displacement, disrupting traditional livelihoods and further straining the already fragile ecosystem. Fishermen have been driven from their ancestral waters, and communities have been torn apart by the conflict, leading to increased competition for dwindling resources.
Yet, amid these challenges, the traditional management systems that have sustained the Lake Chad basin for centuries continue to play a crucial role. Local authorities work hand in hand with traditional leaders and community groups to manage the lake’s resources. This co-management system, blending modern administrative frameworks with age-old practices, has been vital in maintaining a semblance of order and sustainability.
Moreover, in Nigeria, the Lake Chad region extends into the states of Borno and Yobe, where cultural heritage is as rich as the history of the lake itself. The Dufuna Canoe, discovered in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State, is one of the oldest known boats in Africa, dating back over 8,000 years. This remarkable artefact is a testament to the ancient civilisations that once thrived around Lake Chad, relying on the lake’s bounty for survival. The Annual Sallah Durbar festival at the Palace of His Eminence the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri further underscores the deep cultural ties that bind the people of this region to their history.
However, the future of these cultural treasures is uncertain. The impacts of climate change, compounded by socio-political instability, threaten not just the physical landscape of Lake Chad but also the cultural landscape that has been nurtured around it. “The cultural and natural values of Lake Chad are inextricably linked,” says Dr. Sumayya Saminu, an environmental expert. “If the lake continues to shrink, we risk losing not just an ecological treasure, but a cultural one as well.”
Efforts to safeguard this heritage must be holistic, addressing the environmental, socio-economic, and security challenges in tandem. The LCBC’s work, supported by national and regional initiatives, is crucial in this regard. Additionally, the participation of local communities, who have been the custodians of this heritage for generations, is essential in any conservation efforts.
Cross-border cooperation is also vital. The Lake Chad basin has long been a crossroads of trans-Saharan trade and cultural exchange, and these interactions must continue in a way that supports both development and conservation. The LCBC’s recent management plan, developed under the BIOPALT project, offers a blueprint for action. It outlines strategies for 2020–2025, focusing on strengthening regional collaboration, enhancing resource management, and promoting sustainable development.
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, the story of Lake Chad serves as a poignant reminder of what is at stake. For the people of Borno and Yobe states, and indeed the entire Lake Chad basin, the lake is more than just a body of water – it is a lifeline, a cultural icon, and a symbol of resilience. As Nigeria and its neighbours continue to navigate the challenges ahead, the preservation of Lake Chad’s cultural heritage must remain a priority, ensuring that future generations can connect with their past and continue the traditions that have shaped this remarkable region.
LCBC has been at the forefront of efforts to address the multifaceted issues plaguing this vital region. One of their significant initiatives is the Sustainable Development Programme, aimed at conserving the lake’s biological resources. This programme combats the proliferation of invasive aquatic species and reduces pollution, thereby safeguarding the fisheries that so many communities rely on. “We cannot afford to lose Lake Chad,” says Dr. Yaya Sanda, a local environmentalist. “It’s not just water; it’s a lifeline for millions.”
In Borno and Yobe states, the lake’s influence extends beyond the natural environment, deeply entwined with the region’s cultural heritage. However, these cultural treasures are under threat. The Lake Chad region, which has been a crossroads of trans-Saharan trade for centuries, now faces unprecedented challenges. Climate change, security issues, and socio-economic pressures are converging, creating a volatile situation. According to recent data, the lake has shrunk by over 90% in the last 60 years, exacerbating tensions among the communities that depend on it. The demographic pressures caused by displacement, largely due to the Boko Haram insurgency, have further strained the lake’s resources, leading to conflicts over access to water and land.
In response, the BIOPALT project, under the auspices of UNESCO, has launched various income-generating activities (IGAs) aimed at reducing poverty and restoring ecosystems. In the Lake Chad Basin alone, over 30,000 people, including 13,000 women, have benefited from initiatives such as the production and sale of oil and soap from Balanites, and the rehabilitation of fishponds. These activities not only provide livelihoods but also help mitigate the socio-economic impacts of Boko Haram insurgency, which has hit border communities hard.
The BIOPALT project is also promoting peace through training programmes focused on the peaceful management of natural resources. Nearly 5,000 people have been trained in conflict resolution strategies, ensuring that disputes over resources do not escalate into violence. “Our approach is to turn potential conflict into potential cooperation,” explains Dr. Z. Sanda, echoing the project’s guiding principle.
In addition to these efforts, the project is enhancing knowledge about the biodiversity, cultural heritage, and hydrology of Lake Chad through scientific studies. These studies are crucial in developing strategies to strengthen the resilience of nearly 200,000 people who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The German International Development Cooperation Agency, for example, predicts a 4-10% loss of water resources in the Lake Chad Basin by the end of the century, a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable management.
The collaborative approach of the Lake Chad countries – Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger – has been instrumental in these efforts. The involvement of civil society has also played a critical role in ensuring that the progress made is both inclusive and sustainable. If the first phase of the BIOPALT project was a success, there is still much more to be done. A second phase focusing on strengthening income-generating activities, ecological restoration, and intercultural dialogue could be the key to unlocking the region’s full potential.
As we look to the future, the story of Lake Chad is one of resilience and hope. Despite the challenges, the people of this region, supported by national and international efforts, continue to fight for the preservation of their heritage. The inscription of the Lake Chad Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List would be a fitting recognition of this enduring legacy, a symbol of unity, and a testament to the power of collaboration in the face of adversity.
