A Glimpse Into 1967 Chad: Traditional Craftsmanship and Daily Life in Fort Lamy

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In February 1967, researchers captured a rare, vivid look at life in Fort Lamy, Chad. From the intricate mechanics of peanut oil mills powered by camels to the ancient, manual precision of lost-wax bronze casting, these reels document a society balancing traditional methods with emerging industrial infrastructure.

The 1967 footage from Fort Lamy, Chad, provides a detailed ethnographic window into a nation then operating under the leadership of President François Tombalbaye. At the time, the country was navigating its Five-Year Plan, spanning 1966 to 1970, which aimed to modernize infrastructure and economic output. The film captures this transition in real-time, showing a blend of ancient artisanal techniques and the early adoption of industrial machinery.

One of the most striking sequences depicts an oil mill operation. The facility utilized logs from the mocha tree and incorporated an engine block as a counterweight, showcasing a resourceful adaptation of industrial components. The process was powered by animals, with camels and cows tethered to the mill shaft to drive the production of peanut oil. This mechanical ingenuity sat alongside traditional labor, such as the construction of clay huts and the creation of portable fireplaces by hand.

The footage also preserves the meticulous process of lost-wax bronze casting. This ancient method required immense patience and skill, involving the modeling of wax over hot charcoal, the application of clay shells, and the use of hand-operated bellows to heat the assemblies. Workers, even then, utilized protective measures like dust masks while sifting clay. Once fired, the molds were cooled in water and broken to reveal the final bronze figurines, a testament to the enduring craftsmanship that defined the period.

These visual records, cataloged as Reel 10 of 52, serve as a vital historical document of the Republic of Chad during the late 1960s. Beyond the technical processes, the reels document the social fabric of the era, including migration patterns to cattle markets and the daily commerce of wood and charcoal by the river. By preserving these specific, manual operations, the archive offers a rare, unfiltered look at the intersection of tradition and development in a changing African nation.

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