They are a large tribe of Bedouins and live in a large desert territory to the south of the Atlas Mountains,[1] around Metlili, El Golea, Ouargla, El Oued, and the Great Western Erg, including Timimoun and Béni Abbès[2] While traditionally they were nomads specialised in raising camels and caravan trade, most have settled in the oases over the past century.

[4]In 1937 it was estimated that 80 percent of all shops in the southwestern Sahara in Algeria were owned by the Chaamba[1] and in 1961 they had a population of 20,000 people.

[5] In 1984 clashes broke out between the Maliki Sunni Chaamba and Ibadi Mozabites.

[6] In 2008 there were several clashes between Chaamba and Mozabite youths in the oasis of Berriane, following a miscarriage caused by a firework.

[7] Clashes broke out again in July 2015 between the Chaamba and Mozabites in the Mzab valley which left at least 22 dead and hundreds injured.