Rizeigat tribe

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The Rizeigat (also spelled Rizigat, Rezeigat, and in standard Arabic, Rizayqat) are a Muslim Arab tribe residing predominantly in Sudan's Darfur region and Chad. The Rizeigat belong to the greater Baggara Arab fraternity of Darfur and Chad, and are a branch of the Juhayanah group. They speak both Sudanese and Chadian Arabic, and are primarily nomadic herders and their journeys are dependent upon the seasons of the year. They are divided into the Abbala (camel-herding) Rizeigat, who live in northern Darfur and Chad, and the Baggara who inhabit south-east Darfur; this division is the result of ecological differences between north and south Sudan, which allowed for two different types of nomadism to evolve over time. Additionally, the Rizeigat are divided into several large clans, notably the Mahamid, Mahariya and Nawaiba. They formed a substantial part of the Janjaweed, who eventually turned into the Rapid Support Forces. The Baggara Rizeigat backed the Sudanese government during the conflict with the SPLA. They formed the Murahileen, or mounted raiders, who attacked southern villages to loot valuables and slaves. During the Second Sudanese Civil War, thousands of Dinka women and children were abducted and subsequently enslaved by members of the Messiria and Rizeigat tribes. An unknown number of children from the Nuba tribe were similarly abducted and enslaved. During the Darfur conflict, the Abbala Rizeigat were instrumental in the Sudanese government's counterinsurgency campaign, gaining notoriety as part of the Janjaweed militia. Musa Hilal of the Mahamid, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo a.k.a. Hemedti of the Mahariya are the two most prominent leaders.