is called Dar Zaghawa, or the "land of the Zaghawa". Although Zaghawa power was broken by the rise of Kanem in the Lake Chad region, Zaghawa retained control over a considerable portion of the lands lying east of Kanem, and it is only in the late 14th century that Darfur is mentioned as an independent state by the Egyptian historian and geographer Maqrizi. Following the rise of Darfur and Kanem, the Zaghawa appear to have controlled only desert areas and ceased to be a major regional power. Society and culture The traditional Zaghawa society has led a predominantly pastoral life, made up of nomadic clans with horse, donkeys, goat and sheep herd keeping focus. At their peak strength before the Sayfawa dynasty rulers displaced and disbanded them, they were noted merchants and traders with camels and horses, controlling some of the sub-Saharan caravan trade routes. They accepted the Maliki school of Sunni Islam, but retained some of their pre-Islamic rites such as karama – a ritual sacrifice of animals to ward off evil spirits. The century in which they converted has been a subject of debate and little consensus, with estimates ranging from the 13th to the early 17th century. In contemporary times, they lead a sedentary lifestyle, growing staples such as millet and sorghum, and other foods such as sesame, melons, pumpkins, peanuts and okra. The Zaghawa people are believed to be part of the larger Berber ethnic group that is found in North Africa. The Berbers have a long and rich history in the region and are considered to be one of the earliest indigenous peoples of North Africa. The Zaghawa are thought to have descended from Berber-speaking communities and share many cultural and linguistic similarities with other Berber groups. However, the Zaghawa have developed their own unique identity and traditions over time, and are considered to be a separatecentral Saharan region to their current territories in Libya,Chad and Sudan.The earliest recorded history of the Zaghawa dates back several centuries and they have played an important role in the political and economic history of Chad and Sudan. The Zaghawa have a rich cultural heritage and have maintained their own unique language, traditions, and customs, despite the challenges they have faced over time, including armed conflicts and political instability. Social stratification The Zaghawa society has been socially stratified and has included castes. The upper strata has been of nobles