Chad: Gaoui – Sultan’s House

Venturing outside Ndjamena (and away from photography restrictions) – a must see destination is the Gaoui village and the home of the former Sultan of Sao. Sao was an ancient civilization that existed in present day Chad around the 7th century (known as the Race of Giants). Later on, the area was a mini-sultanate (more like a local chief dome in a small village). The traditional mudbrick house and museum have some relics found here – sultan’s clothes, some photos, old pottery. It’s kind of hard to say what’s authentic here and what’s just made for museum display but it’s quite interesting overall. The house is a two story construction with small holes for windows thus keeping it cool inside and the walls are full of traditional colorful paintings.