Djado

Djado's abandoned settlement, locally called Brao, crowns rocky cliffs at the southeastern end of the Djado plateau in Niger's Ténéré Desert. Subterranean ponds lie below the cliffs and vary greatly with the season; some almost dry completely, yet the remaining water can nourish people and also provide breeding places for mosquitoes. The Kaouar valley is reached from the cliffs, pebbly desert spreads west toward the Aïr Mountains, and the historic oasis occupied a difficult junction in the Sahara.

Local Kanuri tradition credits the Sao with founding Djado, while another explanation connects it to Ibadi merchants from Jadu in Jabal Nafusa, southwest of Tripoli. The oasis belonged to Kanem-Bornu at least from the reign of Dunama Dibalemi in 1203–1243, sometimes acted independently, and rejoined the empire under Idris Alauma in 1564–1596. As Bornu's power weakened, Tuareg raids troubled the oasis from the eighteenth century, prompting residents to move toward Kawar. Malaria associated with cattle herding may also have encouraged departure. Those who remained cultivated dates and harvested salt.