Many Tama are subsistence farmers who live in permanent settlements and some raise livestock. In the civil war in Chad (2005–2010) the Tama were involved in ethnic conflicts with the Zaghawa tribe.
Several Tama engage in subsistence farming and maintain permanent dwellings; a few also rear livestock. In the conflict between the Tama and the Zaghawa tribe during Chad's civil war (2005–2010), they were involved in ethnic conflicts.