Masalit

Language family: Masalit (Nilo-Saharan)

The Masalit are centred on Dar Masalit in far western Darfur, with Geneina as their traditional capital. Before the 1870s they were divided among regional powers including the Wadai and Darfur sultanates, before being unified into their own sultanate. Traditionally a self-contained farming society, Masalit communities have faced growing pressure on land since the late 20th century due to drought and in-migration. Along with the Fur and Zaghawa, they were targeted by government-aligned militias during the Darfur conflict that began in 2003; the 2023 killing of West Darfur's Masalit governor, Khamis Abakar, drew renewed accusations of genocide.