Fish.
The Nile fish have recently been very thoroughly investigated, the collection formed by Mr. Loat, under the auspices of the Egyptian Government, being the largest ever brought together from one country.
Those interested in the subject may note that the scientific results of the “fish survey” will shortly be published in the form of a Monograph, by Mr. G. A. Boulenger.
[Briefly speaking, it may be said that the rivers swarm, almost throughout, with fish; they are mostly of a coarse kind, some running to an immense size—40 to 50 lbs. being quite an ordinary weight for some species.—Note by Editor.]
[233]Quite recently a closely allied, but rather larger species, Damaliscus korrigum, has been shot in the deserts of Western Kordofan. It was previously believed to be entirely a West African form. Herr Matschie had, in fact, recorded it from near Lake Victoria, but leading English naturalists seemed inclined to consider him mistaken. That it ranges as far east as Long. 30° is now definitely proved.
[234]This species has recently, in the Khartoum Gardens, for the first time bred in captivity.
APPENDIX D.
THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE SUDAN.
(Vide also [pp. 221-228.])
The three decades following the Egyptian conquest of the Sudan in 1819 were each marked by the appearance of a large work dealing with the antiquities of the newly-opened provinces. Unfortunately the authors of these works, Cailliaud, Hoskins, and Lepsius, have found no successors of equal means and perseverance, so that our knowledge of the actual remains stands about as Lepsius left it. When Cailliaud (1820) and Hoskins (1833) visited the Sudan, nothing certain was known of the ancient relations of Egypt and Ethiopia, and the wildest philological theories were in the air. The imposing monuments which these travellers found fitted the theories that Egyptian art was the oldest art known; Ethiopia was supposed by some to be the mother of Egypt; here, then, at Meroe, Hoskins fancied that he had found the cradle, not of Egypt only but of the whole civilised world. Criticism began with Lepsius (1842): the style of these remains convinced him that they were not the archaic parents of Egyptian art but the late offspring of a mésalliance between Egypt and the luxuriant South. The progress made since his day enables us to recognise more clearly the main lines of development, though it will require years of research to fill in the details of our picture.
In the following notes the antiquities are grouped for convenience into four divisions—the Prehistoric, the Egyptian, the Meroitic, and the Christian.
1. Prehistoric.—We know now that the dynastic culture of Egypt was developed at Abydos, Memphis and elsewhere, long before it reached the Sudan, but from the very earliest days desire for the products of the south must have attracted the trader and the soldier, and so carried the culture of Egypt ever further to the south. The ivory and the skulls found in pre-dynastic Egyptian tombs, and the dwarfs and black troops referred to in the Historical Summary, are sporadic witnesses to a coming and going along the Nile Valley which must have lasted for tens of thousands of years. What and whom the early travellers found we cannot say: the country was probably partitioned among a number of petty princelets like the Meleks whom Burckhardt describes as reigning in the provinces of Dongola and Berber in the eighteenth century, and some of the old forts reported in this region and in the desert may date back to this period. To this epoch possibly belong also some of the groups of tumuli visible between the 4th and the 6th cataracts and elsewhere, but of them only one,[235] of the Bronze Age, has been hitherto excavated. A closer study of the surface will doubtless bring to light vestiges of the Stone Age, as it has already done in Egypt and Somaliland.
2. Egyptian.—The first effective occupation of the northern parts of the Sudan dates from the Middle Empire, but though it is represented by several monuments noted in the list below, it did not last for long. The kings and queens of the New Empire returned to the conquest and exploration of the south, and left much more striking memorials of their greatness. The tablets found at Tel el Amarna are full of requests from Syrian princes for gold, which was exported to them unworked, and by them smelted and wrought into ornaments and vessels. Now the bulk of this gold came from the numerous mines which still exist between the Red Sea and the Nile; in a word the Northern Sudan was the “Rand” of the ancient world. The shafts and huts of the miners, their washing-tables, grinders, and other appliances are found still in situ, and the position of some of the finest temples is now seen to be determined by their nearness to rich auriferous regions. This is, perhaps, the most important discovery made since the days of Lepsius.
Under the eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties the Northern Sudan was an Egyptian province, an appanage often of the heir-apparent, and the monuments of this date (see below) are thoroughly Egyptian in character. Under the twenty-second dynasty the conditions were reversed and Egypt became an Ethiopian province; but, as is usual, the civilised power conquered its conqueror, and although Napata now reached its zenith, the character of buildings, statuary, and inscriptions, was not native but Egyptian; this was only natural, seeing that the Ethiopians could command the best workmen in Egypt. It is not until the sixth century B.C. that we begin to see signs of a change. The inscriptions of Heru-Sa-Atef and Nastasenen clearly betray the native origin of their authors; they were written in hieroglyphics by priests who aimed in vain at reproducing the old classical idiom of Thebes. Their last editor very aptly compares them to attempts of a Dongolawi to write Koranic Arabic.
3. Meroitic.—With the conquests of Alexander and his successors and the spread of the Roman Empire, Ethiopia was brought into touch with a wider system than any it had yet seen, and this Greco-Roman period coincides with the development of a complex original style, in which the African character seems to find its first articulate expression. Exact dates for the numerous monuments in this style cannot be given; some may go back before the time of Alexander, some of the most elaborate certainly fall late in the Roman period. The architectural forms of the latter show the gradual supersession of Egyptian conventions by European designs and construction, while the rich attire of the rulers portrayed bears witness not less to their barbaric taste than to the wealth which radiated under the Pax Romana even beyond the limits of the empire. In this mingling of East and West these works should be compared with those of other schools that arose under the shadow of the Roman Empire, such as the Palmyrene school in Syria and the Greco-Roman Buddhist school in the north-west of India.
The most characteristic works of this school are to be found in the Berber province. The pyramids (Bagarawiya) and the avenue of rams and the pylon-fronted temples (Nagaa and Wadi El Sufra) point back to Egyptian prototypes, but side by side with these we see temples where the pylons have given way to columns fluted and spaced in the fashion of a Roman peristyle shrine, and one small building which has even been described as a Christian basilica!
The Meroitic Pantheon is equally mixed: we pass from the Ammon of Thebes to the Ammon of Napata, and from him to a strange Ethiopian Serapis and a still stranger local or Indian lion-headed god.
The subjects are mostly, like those in Egypt, scenes of adoration or offerings of spoils of victory, but the persons sculptured are Egyptian neither in type nor costume. The best-known of these is the fat Queen “Candace,” whose very fleshly charms are set off by masses of jewellery, heavy necklaces, armlets, bracelets, sandals, and clinging feather-like garments. Her consorts and attendants are only less richly bedizened with jewels and rare stuffs, embroidered with crosses, crescents, “and other delights.” Other panels represent water goddesses and hunting scenes with wild beasts (lions, elephants, etc.), led in captivity by men and genii. The small objects found on these sites (now mostly at Munich and Berlin) give the same impression of barbaric wealth, and the relatively numerous bells show that the Ethiopian of those days was as fond of noise as his black successor.
Unfortunately the inscriptions which accompany these buildings cannot be deciphered. As we saw above, Egyptian was a foreign language to the people of Napata in the sixth century. On the Meroitic monuments not only is the language foreign, but new phonetic values have been given to the old hieroglyphic signs, which makes even transliteration impossible until more bilingual inscriptions turn up.[236] And these hieroglyphics persist until superseded by a script based on Egyptian demotic or perhaps some Arabian alphabet, which is equally unintelligible.
4. Christian.—The Christian antiquities have fared still worse at the hands of explorers than the earlier ones; the traveller notes “ruins of a Coptic convent” and hurries on to something more congenial. Lepsius collected a few inscriptions, and these have been supplemented from time to time; a few things have been found at Soba and rough sketches published of one or two churches.
The most interesting building known to the writer is the church at Old Dongola, a building in two storeys of burnt bricks, subsequently encased in a thick shell of sun-dried bricks. The ground plan of this is believed to be unique: it looks like an adaptation to Christian ends of old Egyptian structural motives. This building and the ruin-heaps into which many other churches—still called Kanisas by the natives—have been reduced, show that all the lessons of construction learnt under the Roman Empire were not forgotten under the rule of the Christian kings. The pottery of this period was, so far as one can judge from fragments still lying on the surface, more finely levigated, better baked, and more variously decorated than in earlier or later days.
Inscriptions in three languages have been found. At Soba, and perhaps at Geteina (White Nile), Christian inscriptions occur in an unknown language, but in the Greek alphabet eked out by five additional letters; from the Dongola province and from Northern Nubia come inscriptions in Greek and in Coptic. Some of these are dated in the eighth and ninth centuries A.D., and the formulæ used in them are similar to those found in Egypt.
The list of ancient sites, etc., appended does not pretend to be complete. Those who wish for further information are referred to the following authorities, which may be supplemented from the bibliography; but they must remember that the study of these antiquities is still in its infancy.
Authorities.(1.) Discoveries.—Cailliaud, “Voyage à Méroé,” Paris, 1826; Hoskins, “Travels in Ethiopia,” London, 1833; Lepsius, “Denkmäler,” Berlin, 1842, etc.
(2.) Special Memoirs.—Ferlini, “Relation Historique,” 1838; Maspero, “Études de Mythologie et d’Archéologie Egyptiennes,” III, Paris, 1898; Heinrich Schäfer, “Die Aetiopische Königsinschrift des Berliner Museums,” Leipzig, 1901.
(3.) Much valuable information may be obtained also from the large histories of Egypt by Maspero, Budge, and Petrie, and from the handbooks published by Murray, Bædeker, and Cook (“The Nile,” by Dr. Budge). Illustrations and slight descriptions of some of the antiquities have been published by J. Ward in the “Monthly Review” for August, 1902, and May, 1903, and of the gold mines in the prospectuses issued by the companies prospecting.
Space does not suffice to give details of all the antiquities: a bare list must suffice. The initials given below are as follows:—Murray’s Handbook of Egypt, 1900 (M.); Dr. Budge’s “The Nile,” 1901 (B.N.); Lepsius “Denkmäler,” 1842 (L.); Cailliaud’s “Voyage à Méroé, 1820” (C.); Rawlinson’s Egypt (Story of the Nation Series) (R.); Dr. Budge’s “A History of Egypt,” 1902 (B.E.); Hoskins, 1833; J. Ward (articles in “Monthly Review,” August, 1902, and May, 1903, with illustrations) (W.).
Antiquities on or near the Nile Banks.
About 2 miles above Halfa, on the west bank, is an ancient Egyptian site with several temples.
Abu Sir.Five and a half miles above the same town, on the west bank, is the rock of Abu Sir. The chief historical interest of this spot (from which a fine view of the 2nd Cataract is obtained) is the variety of names inscribed on it, reaching back several hundred years.
Matuka. B.C. 2760? or 2430?Three miles south of Abu Sir are remains of the fortress and small temple of Matuka, built by Usertsen I of the Twelfth Dynasty.
On a large island opposite are the remains of a similar fortress and on another small island to the south are the ruins of a Coptic church called Darbe (M. 983)
Semna and Kumma. B.C. 2320? B.C. 1600? B.C. 2300.Forty-three miles south of Halfa are the fortress temples of Semna and Kumma, built by Usertsen III. Rebuilt and extended by Thothmes III of the Eighteenth Dynasty. In good preservation. Amenemhat III also marked the rise of the Nile here (B.N. 489, 490; B.E. iii, 46, 48, etc., iv, 94, vi, 187, and vide [p. 222]).
Amara. B.C. 1000?At Amara are important ruins of a temple with sculptured columns (L.; B.N. 491).
At Selima Oasis, 55 miles west of Sagiet El Abd, are remains of old convents, built out of still older remains, on which there are unknown inscriptions. (Vide [p. 203.])
Sai. B.C. 1660-1600?At Sai Island, 130 miles from Halfa, are remains of a town and Coptic church, and of cemeteries, also of a temple with inscriptions of Thothmes III and Amenhotep I (Eighteenth Dynasty).
Sedinga. B.C. 1800.At Sedinga, 6 miles further, are the ruins of a fine temple by Amenhotep III, a column and a cemetery (B.E. iv, 111).
J. Dush. B.C. 1620?Six miles to the south is Jebel Dush, with a tomb contemporary with Thothmes III (B.N. 402).
Solib. B.C. 1500.A mile further on is Solib, with the well-preserved remains of a magnificent temple by Amenophis III (L.; B.N. 492; B.E. iv, 59, etc.; Hoskins, etc.). Many treasures removed to Jebel Barkal.
Sesebi. B.C. 1370 or 1275?Sesebi, opposite Dalgo, contains a ruined temple by Seti I, father of Rameses the Great. (L.; B.E. v, 9.)
In the district between Dalgo and Koya are several ancient workings for gold and copper, which account for the presence of rich temples near.
Tombos.On the Island of Tombos, near Kerma, are granite quarries and one statue unfinished.
Argo.On the Island of Argo (Arkaw) are ruins of a temple and of two granite statues lying on the ground (about 24 feet long, including pedestal), of Sebekhotep III, of the Thirteenth Dynasty, or else, more probably, of the Napata period.
Karman.Near Argo, on the right bank at Karman are the ruins of a large town, and two large mud-brick tombs (B.N. 493, and L.), called Dafufa and Karman.
Six or seven miles south of New Dongola, on the right bank at a place named Kawa, is a delicate little Egyptian temple, date unknown, in good preservation. (Discovered and partially excavated by Colonel Hon. J. Colborne, 1885.)
Khandak marks the site of an ancient Egyptian town of which traces may be seen in the citadel.
South of Khandak are traces of Christian or older sites at Firgi and Khalewa on the west bank (Greek inscriptions have come from the latter), and on the east bank at Amentogo, Arab Hag (inscription from obelisk set up in Napata (?) by Piankhi) and a few miles east of Meganda, the last two in the Latte.
Old Dongola.Old Dongola, now almost deserted, was the capital of the Christian kingdom of Dongola in the sixth century.
NAGAA: ROMAN BUILDING IN THE DESERT—SHOWING THE TRANSITION FROM EGYPTIAN TO ROMAN STYLE.
NAGAA: ROMAN BUILDING IN THE DESERT.
The upper floor of the fine church there is now used as a mosque. On a ridge between the church and the river are remains of ancient fortification. An obelisk of Piankhi, now at Cairo, the fellow to that at Arab Hag, was found here, but had been probably carried from Jebel Barkal. Some Christian inscriptions have been found here (see “Journal of Theological Studies,” IV, p. 583).
Kurru, Zuma, Tangasi.At Kurru and Zuma (east bank), and Tangasi, 7 to 10 miles from Merowe, are remains of large groups of pyramids (B.N. 496), a few of stone, others of mud-brick from which the stone casing has been removed.
On Gimeti Island are traces of a church.
Merowe. B.C. 900 to B.C. 200.Merowe (north bank) and Abu Dom Sanam (south bank) mark the site of Napata (Nept or Nepita). The old city appears to have been on the south bank, and of considerable size (vide [p. 222]). A few miles from the river on this bank, in low hills, are the remains of a number of rock-hewn tombs, and 3 or 4 miles up-stream from Abu Dom, on the north bank, lie the pyramids and ruins of the temples of Napata.
Jebel Barkal.Jebel Barkal, 302 feet high, the “Holy Mountain” of the inscriptions, can be seen for many miles round; on the plain by the side of the hill are ruins of eight or nine pyramids, and on the rising ground are eight more, varying from 20 to 60 feet in height.
Circa B.C. 700. Nuri.The principal temples are those of Taharka and Piankhi, close to Jebel Barkal. At Nuri, 7½ miles from Merowe, on the south bank, are the remains of 35 pyramids, solidly built, and probably of the Middle (?) Empire. At Wadi Ghazal are the remains of a fine Christian monastery. (B.N. 496-503; Cailliaud; Lepsius.)
Belal.A few miles beyond Belal (foot of the 4th Cataract) and on the south bank are the remains of a Coptic church and fortified monastery.
Opposite Hamdab Island, 6 miles further on, are the ruins of a pyramid.
Berber.No further remains have been discovered for the next 250 miles or more. There is evidence that Berber was in the ancient days a starting point, as now, for caravans for Suakin, but there are no ancient remains, as far as is known.
Island of Meroe and Bagarawiya. B.C. 400 to A.D. 250.On crossing the Atbara the “Island of Meroe” is entered, and at Bagarawiya, some 45 miles south of the Atbara, three important groups of pyramids, about 100 in all, are reached. These, also called the pyramids of Assur, lie about 3 miles from the river, and are the tombs of kings and princes of the old capital, which lay somewhere near Shendi. An important find of jewellery of the Roman period was made here by Signor Ferlini, an Italian doctor, in 1834. (B.N. 509-513; L.; Cailliaud; Ferlini; W.) Since then the tops of many pyramids have been damaged in similar searches.
About 29 miles south of Shendi, on the east bank, is the entrance to the Wadi Ban Nagaa, and near it is a village of that name. Three miles down the river are the ruins of a small ancient Nubian temple.
Nagaa.Twenty-three miles south-east from the railway station of Wadi Ban Nagaa, and situated in a low waterless desert, are the extensive remains of an ancient town. The walls of six temples are still standing, at least in part, and the foundations of several others can be traced. Two of them are connected together by an avenue of rams. One of the temples is almost purely Roman in style, and belongs, perhaps, to the third century A.D.; others are transitional; these are in comparatively excellent preservation. (Description by Rev. L. Gwynne; B.N. 514, 515; Cailliaud [elaborate]; and W.). They were also visited by Wurt (1811), Demetrio (1822), Holroyd (1837), and Lepsius.
El Sufra.Twelve miles north-east of Nagaa are the ruins of El Sufra, also called El Masurat, a group of buildings within walls, of the Roman period, with a Meroitic inscription (C.; L.; and Hoskins, and B.N. pp. 515-516). One and a-half miles off are some Christian temples (?) (B.N. p. 515). A road track leads south-east from Shendi viâ Nagaa temples to Soba, and there are, it is reported, old temples on the way.
Khartoum.There are no visible ruins of ancient temples at Khartoum, though it is known that it was the site of a large town (vide [p. 228]). A colossal Christian (?) stone lamb has been brought here from Soba (W.).
Soba.At Soba, believed to be the old capital of the Christian Kingdom of Alwa, built on the old Ethiopic site of “Sobas,” 13 miles from Khartoum and on the east bank of the Blue Nile, are some remains of granite pillars and of a Christian church, including a decorated base with a large cross carved on it (W.). Little is known about this. There is said to have been a bridge here over the Blue Nile.
Miscellaneous.
J. Geili.At Jebel Geili, 92 miles east from Khartoum, there is a carving in Meroitic style on a huge granite block at the south-eastern end of the hill, and on a neighbouring rock higher up the hill are the carved outlines of three horses (dates unknown).
Koliteb.At Koliteb, 113 miles from Tokar, on one of the Kassala roads, there are ancient and rude carvings of men and camels on the rocks (Junker).
Mamân.At Jebel Mamân, 201 miles from Suakin, on the “Ermenab” route to Kassala, there are some curious old Christian stone ruins and tombs (Schweinfurth; Z.A.E., 1865, p. 398).
Sennar.Little or nothing of the old Sennar Kingdom is left.
At Geteina, on the White Nile, some inscribed bricks and pottery of the Christian period have been found. These are now preserved at Khartoum in the Gordon College Museum.
El Ein.Vide [p. 211.]
W. Mogaddam.Vide [ Vol. II, route Gabra—Korti.]
W. El Fura.Just above the wells of El Fura are the remains of a large rectangular fort (about 60 by 50 yards), with massive stone walls some six feet high and eight to ten feet thick, with curious square projections, perhaps for flanking defence. It may belong to the same period as the great stone fortifications at Old Dongola and Khandak, but the masonry presents one curious feature not observed there, namely, the frequent use of stones with the long dimensions vertically placed. It would serve to command the wells on a road from Merowe to Napata.
Tombs, Atbai.North of the Berber-Suakin road, Lieutenant Newcombe, R.E., reports some curious tombs. Two are near the Wadi Amur (E. Long. 36° 15″, N. Lat. 19° 15″), and one is close to the watershed of Khor Garrar (E. Long. 36° 40″, N. Lat. 20°). The ground plan of these tombs is octagonal; they were roofed apparently by a dome supported on a hexagonal (?) drum, and lit by plain rectangular windows. It is impossible to say whether they belong to the late Christian or the early Mohammedan period. The rounded battlement which crowns the corners of the eight walls is a common feature on Sheikhs’ tombs.
It only remains to point out that the surface of Sudan antiquities has barely been touched. It is hoped that as money becomes available more of the ancient history of the Sudan may be brought to light, and more particularly is it hoped that the meaning of the Nubian and Meroitic hieroglyph inscriptions may shortly be discovered.
The whole matter is being gradually taken up by the Sudan Government, but want of funds hampers the work.
The distinguished Egyptologist, Dr. Wallis Budge, of the British Museum, has already paid several visits to the country.
[235]The contents of this are now preserved in the Gordon College Museum at Khartoum.
[236]Two cartouches on an altar preserved in Berlin enable us to recognise eight signs.
APPENDIX E.
ETHNOLOGY OF THE SUDAN.
The wealth of the Nile Valley has at all times tempted invasion; the land presents no serious physical obstacles, and the people who live in the countries bordering it have always been unsettled and migratory. We expect, therefore, to find here a perfect babel of tongues and races. To mention invasions from the East alone and within the historic period, Africa has been overrun by the dynastic Egyptian, the Hyksos, the Abyssinians and the Arabs, and from the early cemeteries of Abydos archæologists have collected skulls which appear to show that from the time of the Stone Age four races at least have contributed to the population of Egypt. These races Kollmann[237] identifies as Punts, who were, perhaps, of Semitic origin, Nubians, Libyans, and Negroes, the last including several Pygmies and, to judge from their grave-offerings, some men of wealth and consideration. In the Sudan no detailed researches have been made in ancient burial-places, but we may confidently expect some day to read in the northern half the same story as in Egypt.
Invasion, moreover, is not the only disturbing element. The natives of the Sudan, even when they have adopted a more or less settled life, are great travellers: traffic in human flesh and conquest for the sake of human flesh have nowhere been pursued so long and so thoroughly. The native changes his abode without hesitation, and his love of strange women is passing Solomon’s. A hundred years ago Brown found Darfur full of Dongolawi traders. Fifty years ago the same race had turned their eyes to Kordofan and the Bahr El Ghazal, and wherever they go they intermarry with the women of the land. The Takruris have similarly in a peaceable way shifted their abode from Darfur to the province of Kassala within quite recent days.
Yet again, in the southern half we have seen within the last few centuries a succession of loosely-knit empires (Fungs, Shilluks, etc.) which carry the name and often the language of a single tribe over a wide area and then melt away, leaving behind only confusion to the ethnologist. What we know to have existed for the last thousand years, we can premise for the last fifty (?) thousand. So intricately mixed indeed is this southern half that the Nileland has been aptly described as the Negro Potpourri.
But there are mitigating circumstances which we must also take into account, otherwise the ethnologist would indeed be, of all men, the most hopeless.
In the first place, invaders do not exterminate and, by what seems to be almost a law, the old Somatic types tend continually to reassert themselves; a new invasion, that is, changes for a time the numerical proportion of different types, but as the newcomers are absorbed the old order returns, and the preponderating elements in the population become increasingly evident. It is a commonplace in Egypt that a Turk of the third generation is indistinguishable from a native.
In the second place, invasions and migrations have gone on from time immemorial, but they have always come from the same regions. Kollmann, as we saw, makes a four-fold division of the prehistoric inhabitants of Abydos; this corresponds to our four-fold division into Semites, Nubians, Libyans, and Negroes. The successive inroads into our area have meant, therefore, not the introduction of new constituents but the stiffening of an element already present by a fresh influx of kindred blood.
These two facts simplify the problem: they do not enable us to say that so-and-so is an Arab, indeed they make it impossible to say so with scientific certainty, but they will enable us ultimately to say which original stock has contributed most to the population of any given district. “Ultimately” because at present the data which alone will permit us to delimit the frontiers of the various peoples are wanting.[238] Along the river, especially, one stock shades into another with such delicate gradations that no two observers seem to agree as to the point of division, and the theories of the people themselves as to their own origin and that of their neighbours—theories which seldom agree—have little foundation in fact, albeit to some they may prove of greater interest and political importance than the future classifications of the learned.
We must at present renounce all pretensions to scientific exactitude and confine ourselves to more or less popular distinctions; accordingly, eliminating from our survey all recent new-comers of European or Asiatic extraction, we shall divide the present inhabitants of the Sudan broadly into four groups—the Negro, the Nuba, the Bega, the Arab.
(i) Negroes.The ancient Egyptians referred to the South—it is difficult to say where it began—as the land of the black man, just like their successors, who named it Nigritia or Belad el Sudan; and they knew, as we know, that there were pygmy blacks as well as big fighting blacks. Whether the pygmies, relics of whom have been found all over the world, were evolved first in Africa or came in as immigrants, and whether the big blacks were developed by selection from them here or elsewhere we cannot here discuss. Suffice it to say that from before the dawn of history the two have always been in Africa, and that the Negroes of the Nile land are to-day more hopelessly subdivided than the Negroes of any other part. The pygmies have been now driven into the forests of Central Africa, and the big Negroes are now found in the Sudan only on the Upper reaches of the White and Blue Niles and in the hill countries to the west; north of this they occur merely as immigrants, soldiers, slaves, etc., amounting, though, in some parts to almost 50 per cent. of the population. They vary enormously in size, colour, language, institutions, and religion, so that in spite of the great work of such explorers as Schweinfurth, Emin, and Junker, we are still far from unravelling the intricate web of their interrelations. A recent writer, who has given a popular account of the researches of travellers before the Mahdia, disclaims as impossible any attempt at scientific classification, and we can only follow him in grouping the blacks of the White Nile and its tributaries according to the picturesque impression which they made upon their visitors. In this book (“Die Heiden Neger des Aegyptischen Sudan,” Berlin, 1893), Frobenius divides the blacks within our present frontiers into four groups:—
| I. | The Swamp Negroes—Shilluk, Shuli, Bari, Jur, Nuer, Dinka or Jange, Anuak, etc. |
| II. | The Iron-working Negroes—Bongo, Mittu, Golo, Sheri, Madi, Kreich, etc. |
| III. | The A-Zande or Nyam Nyam. |
| IV. | The Latuka. |
For further information about these people we must refer the reader to other chapters in this compendium, and to the authors mentioned above.
It only remains to point out that the blacks of Kordofan and the Blue Nile, offer practically virgin fields to the ethnologist.
(ii) Nubas.Under this head we include (a) the Barabra, who are found between the 1st and 4th cataracts, and are subdivided into natives of Dongola, Mahas, Sukkot, Halfa, each with a different dialect; (b) the Nubas of Kordofan, with their sub-tribes. To these some philologists add, on linguistic grounds, a number of tribes usually described as negro or negroid.[239]
Geographically, and perhaps physically also, these Nubians appear as a link between Egypt and Negro land. They are darker and smaller than the Egyptian, but still brown and not black,[240] although they often have, like so many Egyptians, the woolly hair of the Negro. It is probable that they represent the ancient Kushites, and the latest student of the old Ethiopian inscriptions has sought to prove that the Nubians and not the Begas were the rulers of ancient Napata.[241] They are enterprising people, apt linguists and great travellers, very ready to take on a veneer of European culture, the last trait being an old one caricatured by the wall-painters of ancient Thebes. It is the more strange that they should have preserved their own dialects, especially as they have been Muslims for some centuries.
It was on the ground of their language that Lepsius[242] related the Nilotic Nubians with the Nubawis of Kordofan. The connection corresponds with traditions current in Dongola, where the traveller will hear again and again that, although the particular man he is interrogating is, of course, pure Arab from the Hejaz, yet most of the people round are Nubians like the Nubawis of Kordofan. Supposing this relationship to be proved, it would be still uncertain whether the Kordofan people are a colony from the Nilotes or vice versâ. But it is also possible that the Nubawis of Kordofan adopted a Nuba language in some by-gone age when there was a powerful Christian or pre-Christian Nubian kingdom on the Nile. If we are to believe Hartmann[243]—a very good observer—the majority of the Shaigia “Arabi” and many of the Jaalin really belong to the same stock.
(iii) Begas.This name is derived from medieval Arab historians and has been identified with the Bugatæ and Buka of earlier days. It is applied to the tribes living in the eastern desert who speak various languages belonging to the so-called Hamitic group of languages. The principal tribes are Ababda, Bisharin, Amarar, Hadendoa, Halenga, Beni Amer, Habab.
In type they are far more “Caucasian” than those we have previously mentioned, and they occupy the same position and present the same characteristics as many turbulent pastoral tribes mentioned by Egyptian scribes and classical writers.[242] As Hamites, one school of anthropologists represented by the Italian Sergi, regards them as an off-shoot of the great Euro-African stock which populated North Africa and Europe: others bring them from Asia. “Non nostri est tantas componere lites.” Nor do we like to hazard an opinion as to whether they or the Nubians were the creators of ancient Meroe. The termination ab which is so common throughout the Berber Province proves that people of the Bega stock once held this district, and their immediate descendants are probably to be looked for among the riverain “Arabs” rather than the desert Begas, for no civilized people would exchange a settled life for a nomad life, least of all so warlike a race as the Begas.
According to W. Max Müller (“Aethiopien,” Berlin, 1904, p. 19), we have in the legend quoted on [p. 224,] a distorted version of one Hamitic settlement in this very area. The word Sembridae or Semberritae is a hybrid name formed by a North Hamitic people out of a Semitic root, and means, not “Deserters,” but “Nomads,” “Wanderers.” The legend above-mentioned will therefore be the echo of an early Hamitic invasion of a district then peopled by Nubas or Negroes, and of the adoption of a sedentary life by these invading “Wanderers,” whose success may explain the shifting of the capital from Napata to Meroe ([p. 225]).
(iv) Arabs.The first three stocks have been in the country for as long as our records go. The Arabs are comparative newcomers; it is improbable that they came in any numbers until after the fall of the Christian kingdoms of Dongola and Alwa (Soba). The traditions of some tribes are against this, but historians only mention raids, and the traditions are not to be set against the historians’ testimony. The extension of these raids, which led to the downfall of Christianity and a consequent increase of Arab immigration, was probably due to pressure caused on tribes elsewhere by the conquests of Spain and Portugal on the one side and Turkey on the other. This would give the Arabs an occupation of from four to six centuries, though a slow infiltration from Arabia into the Sudan must have gone on from the beginning.
Now, at any rate, the Arab dominates the northern half of the Sudan, that is, from Egypt to Kordofan. He has nowhere exterminated the original inhabitants; he has in many cases not yet succeeded in forcing even his language upon them; he has, unlike the Arabs in Arabia, intermarried freely with them; but his conquest has been so far complete that his religious ideals and tribal organisation have replaced the older faith and institutions wherever he has cared to carry them. This fact upsets our perspective. The people call themselves Arabs and we accept the name, but it would certainly be a mistake to regard them as Arabians or to recognise as genuine their long pedigrees “of unsullied (?) Arab descent” “going back to early Mohammedan times” (Keane). The present writer believes that the materials newly published by Naum Bey Shoucair (“History of the Sudan,” Cairo, 1904—in Arabic), enable him to trace two distinct steps in the Arabization of the Central Sudan.
Up to 1500 A.D., the Christians reigned on the Blue Nile; there are no Gubbas, no mention of Fikis, earlier than this, as would certainly have been the case if many Arabs had been here. About this time the Fungs, a powerful black tribe under Amara Dunkas, became Muslims and, assisted by some Arab immigrants, overthrew the kingdom of Soba. Hardly had they done so when they were themselves menaced by Sultan Selim, the Turkish conquerer of Egypt and Suakin; it was their policy then to represent themselves as orthodox Muslims connected with the most venerated Arab tribes, and a certain Sheikh El Samarakandi, who had wandered to the court of Dunkas, provided the necessary pedigrees, which were duly sent to Selim and by him much admired (Naum II, pp. 73, 74). But the Sheikh did his work clumsily, if it may be judged from a Jaali pedigree which purports to be extracted from his work, for he left at the crucial point several non-Arabic names, and few, if any, Sudanese pedigrees are accepted by Muslim genealogists elsewhere.
At this point the Arabization of Central Sudan seems to have stood almost still for three centuries. Gubbas were built and Fikis became powerful, but the tribal organization, although indigenous among the Begas, did not supplant the very different political division of the land into small kingdoms tributary to Sennar. The emblems of kingly power, a throne called the K-K-R and a two-horned cap (Naum II, pp. 100, 101), are also clearly African, not Arab. Burkhardt, again, who knew the Arabs in Syria and Arabia, is never tired of contrasting their manners and morals with those of the Sudanese Arabs.
This period was closed by the Egyptian conquest of Mohammed Ali, which continued the process begun in the time of Selim, and finally obliterated several of the most characteristic survivals from pre-Islamic days. Indeed, all the events of the last century, including the great upheaval in which it culminated, had the same tendency. Having lost their native kingdoms, the people have been forced to adopt the Arab tribal system, and, unlike the Berbers in Algiers, have identified themselves enthusiastically with all things Arab. The more striking is it that they should have still kept such African customs as the Akh-el-banat, the scarring of the cheeks, female excision,[244] all alien from the true Arab of Arabia.
If this reading of history be accepted, the people of the Central Sudan will be described as a mixed race recently forced into an Arab mould and in varying degrees modified by Arab blood. And we may prophesy that future researches will prove the other elements in this race to be akin to the other races on its borders, to the Nubians and Begas on the north, to the Negroes, Gallas, Abyssinians, etc., on the south and south-east.
In the above sketch there are so many necessary gaps, and so many controverted points of necessity passed over in silence, that it seems fair to the reader to give a brief statement of a different theory recently put forward by Sir H. H. Johnston on this subject. We therefore append a résumé of his views compiled by Captain Morant from “The Nile Quest”:—
In pre-historic times the land on each side of the Red Sea is said to have joined in the south as well as in the north. By these necks of land man came to Africa from Asia in the form of dwarfs of a very low negroid type, resembling the now much-advanced pigmy of the Congo or the bushman of South Africa. Thus perhaps, say, 10,000 years ago, the Nile basin south of N. latitude 15° was peopled by a negroid species from the east. It seems also not improbable that Egypt proper and Arabia were within the domains of this negroid race.
These indigenous pigmies appear to have been at an early date ousted (say 9,000 years ago) by races of Caucasian stock resembling the Dravidians of India, of aquiline type, possibly of nearly pure Caucasian “Khafra” origin, and probably emanating from Syria, Cyprus, or Libya.
In Gallaland, Somaliland, and Abyssinia a handsome race of Caucasian ancestry, mingled no doubt with proto-negroes and Dravidians, formed originally in Southern Arabia, sprang up. The lips of this people, destined to become the basis of a world-renowned and historic type, were full and their noses straight and finely shaped, whilst their skin was dark and their hair had a tendency to curl, and like the modern Somali, Galla, or Danakil, the men grew thin and wedge-shaped beards.
It was by emigrants of this new Hamitic race to the Lower Nile Basin that the stock of the ruling type of ancient Egyptians was formed. In the latter, nevertheless, an appreciable amount of Negro blood from the early Negro population must doubtless have been absorbed.
So degraded and transformed, however, has been the ancient Egyptian type by the infusion of the blood of their many successive rulers, that though facial resemblances may remain, their famous characteristics have vanished, and the Egyptian of to-day is the descendant of Slavs and Turks, Arabs, Armenians, and Circassians.
But it was not only to Egypt that this Hamitic race extended, but also, though more faint-heartedly, towards the negroid districts to the south-west to Uganda, Zululand, and even it is thought to the Atlantic. In Uganda their descendants are now distinctly traceable.
To recapitulate:—The country of Ethiopia, which included not only the highlands of Abyssinia but also the country north, to Berber or even Dongola, was probably originally populated by a very low type of pigmy or bushman, then perhaps partially by a race of big black negroes, such as Shilluk, Dinka, Nuer, and Bari, which in turn gave way to the Hamitic race already described. The ruling class of Ethiopia, however (the present “Abyssinian” in contradistinction to the “Galla or Somali”), became of Semitic origin through the Sabæan Arab conquest of Abyssinia some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
The break up of the Israelitish Empire by the Abyssinians and subsequent scattering of the Jews, many of whom settled in Abyssinia, introduced a further admixture of Semitic blood.
In comparing this ancient history, much of which is little more than guesswork, with the state of affairs at the present day, we find the descendants of the original pigmies, but in a more advanced state, having been ousted from place to place at length survive in hiding, as it were, in the forests of the most central of Central Africa. The big black negro tribes have withdrawn to and are content to remain in the swampy fever-stricken districts of which no higher human race has ever yet desired to deprive them. The Ethiopians have retired before the Arab invaders to their hills, whilst the Arabs continue to dominate all the country they cared to conquer.
The Hadendoa, Ababda, Bisharin, Beni Amer, etc., Arabs who speak a “rotana” somewhat resembling the Somali language, are, undoubtedly, not true Arabs, but are probably descended from the Hamitic race above described which also was the origin of the Somali and Galla races.
[237]Die Gräber von Abydos. Correspondenzblatt der Deutschen anthropologischen Gesellschaft, 1902, pp. 119 foll.
[238]Only one ethnologist of the first rank—R. Hartmann—has spent any considerable time in the Sudan, and this was forty years ago. Except for his work we have to depend on (1) reports of officials and travellers: these are often very valuable, but the different criteria of race, language, etc., used by these writers make it very difficult to use them with any confidence; (2) the observations of “arm-chair savants” who base great theories upon stray skulls, fragmentary vocabularies, chance studies of natives touring about Europe “on show,” etc. This is not the place for a nice criticism of the respective values of these works.
[239]E.g., Cust (Modern languages of Africa, London, 1883, I, p. 142) includes as “Nubas-Berta, Fung, Hameg, Golo, Sheri Monbutto, Nyam-Nyam, and others.”
[240]The Nubas of Kordofan, although certainly not negroes, are black.—G.
[241]Heinrich Schäfer, “Die Aethiopische Königsinschrift des Berliner Museums,” Leipzig, 1901.
[242]“Nubische Grammatik,” Berlin, 1880, p. lxxvii.
[243]Skizze der Nilländer, Berlin, 1860, p. 258.
[244]Mentioned in Strabo and Makrizi. To these African customs in vogue among the Sudanese “Arabs” may be added the Dilka and the Tadkhin. The former is their method of cleaning themselves: instead of washing they prefer, like the ancient Greeks, first to grease themselves over and then scrape the skin with a stone or other scraper. For the Tadkhin, see Baker, “Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia,” p. 81.
APPENDIX F.
LIST OF TRIBES AND SHEIKHS. (For Tribes in the Bahr El Ghazal Province, vide [Chap. VII.])
| Tribe. | Head Sheikh. | Habitat. | Remarks. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BerberProvince. Population 83,000 (1904). | ||||
| Ababda (Bilhush) | Abdel Azim Bey Wad Khalifa and MohammedNura. | Abu Hamed, Ban Nagaa, and Segadi | Branch of the Ababda in Egyptianterritory. Poor and unimportant. | |
| Arteiga | Abu Fatma Wad Omar | Adarama | Nomads. Unimportant tribe. | |
| Bisharin, Um Ali | No Nazir | Atbai | Sub-divided into Aliab, Shantirab, Amrab,and Hamadorab. Nomad Arabs, owners of camels, sheep, and goats; doa little cultivation. | |
| „ Um Nagi | Karar Ahmed | R. Atbara, between Adarama and its mouth.Also in the Southern Atbai. | Sub-divided into Hanr, Nafab, Mansurab,Hamdab, Ariab, (Negemab, Kurbab, and Bilanib). Nomads asabove. | |
| Fadnia (east) | Ahmed El Haj Taher | Um Hatab | Nomads. Owners of camels, cattle, andsheep, etc. | |
| „ (west) | Abbas Shedid | Goz Naim | Mostly sedentary and cultivators withsagias. | |
| This tribe claims descent from Imam Ali,cousin of the Prophet, and therefore belong to the Alluia. They nowconsider themselves Jaalin. | ||||
| Hāmak | Abdalla Wad El Aila | Near Berber | Very few. Nomads; originally belonging tothe Bisharin. | |
| Hassania | Omar Idris El Fazari | Upper part of basin of Wadi Bayuda, andwhole of basin of Wadi Abu Dom. J. Gilif and J. Jakdul, Abu Tleh,and at times west bank of Nile, Metemma to Berber. | A large and important nomad tribe. Pay£250 tribute (1903). Owners of a few camels and cattle, but chieflyowners of sheep and goats. Small cultivators on rainland. Claim tobe descended from Zubeir Ibn El Awam (Zubeir’s mother was aunt ofthe Prophet) and therefore from the Beni Hashim tribe. | |
| Jaalin | Hamad Suleiman Osman (nomads) | Debbaghat—El Hawad—Kabushia, etc. Bothbanks of the Nile from Metemma to the junction of the Atbara. | Nomads and sedentary. Formerly a largeand powerful tribe; now much reduced in wealth and numbers by theDervishes. | |
| Ibrahim Wad Ferah (sedentary) | Cultivators by sagias. Owners of sheepand goats. The Jaalin say they are descended from Abbas, uncle ofthe Prophet, and therefore belong to the Abbasia tribe. | |||
| Khawawir | Gar El Nabi Kador | Abu Safār | Nomads. Owners of camels, sheep andgoats. | |
| Kimilab | Suleiman Hamad Salem | Shigla and El Nebis | This tribe was one of the first to settleon the Atbara, and fought the Bisharin who arrived later from theAtbai. They have now lost their pristine power and importance. | |
| Monasir | Osman Suleiman Wad Gamr | Dar Monasir; left bank of Nile, south andsouth-west of Abu Hamed at Sani. | Mostly sedentary Arabs. Poor tribe livingin a poor country. | |
| Nefeidab | Ali Wad Sebib | Atbara | Of tribes now on Atbara theNefeidab and Abdel Kerimab were the first to settle there. Formerlyowned right bank from Goz Regeb-El Kian. Now very few. | |
| Mohammed Abu Abda. | ||||
| Rasheida | Abdalla Mubarak | Atbara and Gash | Nomads. Came from Arabia in 1846. TheDervish Emir Abu Girga, during the Mahdia, is said to have killed75 men of this tribe and captured 1,700 of their camels. They thentook refuge at Massaua and returned to the Sudan after the fall ofOmdurman. Part of this tribe live near Agik in SuakinProvince. | |
| Robatab | Habiballa Abdel Majid | Both banks of the Nile from about the 5thCataract to a little below Abu Hamed. | Sedentary. Cultivators. Poor. | |
| Shaigia, Onia (east) | Abdel Rahman Zayad | Goz El Basabir. Also east bank south ofMetemma. | Chiefly nomads. Owners of camels, sheep,and goats. | |
| „ Onia (west) | Naim El Fiki Mohammed Kheir | Nasri Island and west bank. | ||
| „ Sauarab | Nasr El Meki | Wad Ban Naga | Nomads. Major part of thistribe lives in Dongola Province. Not a large tribe. | |
| DongolaProvince.[245] Population 127,000 (1904). | ||||
| Gararish | El Ata Abdalla | Right bank Nile between Kerma andDebba. | Nomads. Small and unimportant tribe.Owners of camels, sheep, and goats. Pay £E47 tribute. | |
| Hawawir | Hassan Khalifa | Bayuda Desert between Korti, Debba, andGabra. | Nomads. Large tribe owning camels, sheep,and goats. Pay £E480 tribute (1903). Head Sheikh lives atKorti. | |
| Kababish, Omatto | Fadi El Mula Wad Rekha | Wadi El Gab and south to Ein Hamed andGabra. | Nomads. Owners of camels, sheep, andgoats. Pay £E235 tribute. | |
| „ Dar Hamed | Isawi Salem | Wadi El Gab and south to Ein Hamed andGabra. | Nomads. Owners of camels, sheep, andgoats. Pay £E25 tribute. Head Sheikh lives at Dongola. | |
| Shaigia (Sauarab) | Ibrahim Wad El Kheir | Debba to Merowe and BirBayuda | Nomads. Not an importanttribe; it is under Sheikh Hassan Khalifa of the Hawawir. | |
| Gezira (BlueNile) Province.[246] Population 132,000(1904) | ||||
| Agaliin[247] | Mohammed El Fiki Ahmed | Right bank White Nile, Gezira Um Garf,between Kalakla and Um Arda. In rains at Fatjuba and El Arak. | Sedentary. Not a large tribe butmoderately wealthy. Owners of cattle and sheep; cultivators. | |
| Ahamda | Mohammed Kheiralla Ali Abu Zaman. | Eastern part of Kamlin district.Mesellemia district. | Sedentary. Rich in cattle. Number about250 males. Comfortably off. | |
| Alkamab | Abdel Bagi Ghabashi | Mesellemia district | Sedentary. Fairly well off. | |
| Arakiin | Yusef Fadl El Mula | El Kreimet (Managil) | Sedentary. This section is neithernumerous nor wealthy. | |
| Ibrahim Ahmed El Natifa[247] | Maatuk (Kawa) | Sedentary. Numerous and well off; chieflycultivators. | ||
| Aramab[247] | Idris El Kinen and Mohammed Abu ElHassan. | Scattered on right bank White Nilebetween J. Breima and Geteina. In rains inland at Mikheirif ElKheiran, Kitra, and Abdel Magid. | Sedentary. Large tribe and very wealthy.During Mahdia and up to 1902 Mohammed Abu El Hassan was Nazir. Itis now split into two sections. | |
| Arawab[247] | Magbul Ahmed Jar El Nebi | Scattered on right and left banks ofWhite Nile from J. Auli to El Mohammedia and inland at Garada,Hashaba, Malaga. | Sedentary. A large and very wealthytribe; chiefly cultivators. | |
| Awamra[247] | Ahmed Idris El Fadl | Interior of Gezira, east of J. Auli, andon left bank of White Nile near Um Rummat. | Sedentary. Large and moderately wealthytribe. | |
| Batahin | Ali Abudi | Um Daka (Managil) | Sedentary. Few and poor. | |
| Mohammed Zein Shakhib | Mesellemia district | Nomads. Poor; have a few camels. | ||
| Mohammed Talha | Abu Deleig district | Nomads. Large tribe, rich in cattle, alsoowners of camels. | ||
| Bija[247] | Abdel Gader Ibrahim | Right bank of White Nile, Gezira Um Garf,and inland at Wazra. | Sedentary. A section of the Agaliin; few,but well off. | |
| Dabassiin | Rahmatalla Kheir El Sid | Gab El Gedad, El Dabiba, etc. | Sedentary. About 260 males in tribe.Cultivators. | |
| Danagila | Ahmed El Niama | Mesellemia district | Sedentary. Small tribe, but welloff. | |
| Mohammed Osman Abdel Rahman[247] | Geteina | Sedentary. Small tribe, but welloff. | ||
| Dar Mahareb[247] | Ahmed Mohammed Abu Afsh | Scattered on right and left banks ofWhite Nile from Hagar El Asalai to Jebelein. | Nomads. Divided into many branches; allfairly well off. | |
| Diwa[247] | Ali Babikr | Aba Island (Kawa) | Sedentary. Very small tribe. | |
| Eseilat | Mohammed El Haj Saad | Eseilat (Kamlin) | Sedentary Arabs. About 360 males.Cultivators. | |
| Fardiin | Ahmed El Taif | Managil and Um Talha | Sedentary. Very small tribe, butwealthy. | |
| Fung | Mohammed El Rih Guma | Dar Nail, Wad Odun (Managil) | Sedentary. Very small tribe, butwealthy. | |
| Gemmuiya[247] | Nasr Ibrahim El Mek | Left bank of White Nile, between Omdurmanand Jebel Mandara. | Sedentary. Large tribe and well off.Cattle and sheep owners. | |
| Halawin | Abdalla Wad Musaid | Mesellemia | Sedentary. Excellent cultivators. | |
| Hassanab[247] | Abdalla Suleiman | Arak and Gezira, Um Garf (Geteina) | Sedentary. Very poor cultivators. | |
| Hassania | Ali Wad Yusef | Mahriba (Kamlin) | Sedentary. Small section. | |
| Idris Habbani, Musellim Magbul, and AliMusa El Bida.[247] | Scattered on right and left bank of WhiteNile from Geteina to Dueim; also inland near eastern boundary ofGeteina district. | Sedentary. Related to the BerberHassania. A very large and very wealthy tribe. Idris was Sheikh ofwhole tribe during Mahdia, but it is now divided into threesections. Owners of cattle, sheep, and goats. | ||
| Hussanatt[247] | Ali Awadalla | Umat Shaar, Sharafat, J. Maturi(Kawa). | Sedentary. Large and wealthy tribe.Owners of cattle, goats, and few camels. | |
| Ahmed Sogheirun | Scattered on right and left banks ofWhite Nile between Wad Belal and Geteina. | Sedentary. Large and wealthy tribe.Owners of cattle, goats, and few camels. | ||
| Kawahla | Imam Ali Ibrahim El Bedawi | Abud, El Walia, and Kadibat(Managil). | Nomad and sedentary. Largest andwealthiest tribe in Managil district. Owners of camels and cattle.Good lighting men. | |
| Lahawin[247] | Saleh Yagub El Imam | Um Hagar, Wad Badri (Kawa) | Sedentary. Not well off. | |
| Mesellemia | Mohammed Gamal El Din[247] | Um Shedida (Kawa) | Sedentary. | |
| Awad El Bari Mohammed | Wad El Meslami (Managil) | Sedentary. Few and poor. | ||
| Abbas Mohammed Badr (Sheikh ElObeid). | East of Kamlin district | Nomad and sedentary. Rich in cattle.Number about 500 males. | ||
| Mogharba | Mohammed Osman | El Abdanab, Wad El Zein (Managil) | Sedentary. Few and well off. | |
| Mubarak El Gezuli[247] | Um Sunta (Kawa) | Sedentary. Few and well off. | ||
| Mohammedia[247] | Abdalla Idris El Kereil | Scattered on right and left banks ofWhite Nile between Hellet Wad El Kereil and J. Breima. In rainsinland at Um Sidra. | Sedentary. Large and wealthy tribe.Owners of camels, cattle, and sheep. | |
| Nefeidia | El Melik Rahma | Abu Siwa (Managil) | Nomad and sedentary. Large and wealthytribe. | |
| Nurab[247] | Saleh Wad El Imam | Shawal (Kawa) | Sedentary. | |
| Rufaa | Shai El Nur Tai El Din | El Azazi and Shukheir (Managil) | Sedentary. Few, but well off. | |
| Shaigia | Ahmed Wad El Awad | Wad Kunjari (Managil) | Sedentary. Few, but rich. | |
| El Gazuli Omar[247] | Tura El Khadra (Geteina) | Sedentary. Few, and very poor. | ||
| Shenabla | Musaid Mohammed | Mesellemia district | Sedentary. | |
| Shukria | Abdalla Awad El Kerim Abu Sin. | Rufaa district | Nomads and sedentary. Numerous, but nowpoor tribe. | |
| „ Gadurab | El Zubeir El Nur | Eastern part of Kamlindistrict | Nomads and sedentary. Rich incattle. Number about 230 men. | |
| Kassala Province.Population 74,700 (1904). | ||||
| Beni Amer | Mohammed Osman (Wakil YagubMohammed). | Debeloeid | Nomads. This is only a small branch ofthe large tribe living in Eritrea. Pay £E150 tribute. | |
| Debania | Awad El Kerim Wad Zaid (Wakil MustafaBakr Wad El Sultan). | Gedaref, Asar, Shasheina, Abu Gelud,Sofi, etc. | Sedentary Arabs. The Debania tribe arenow very poor and reduced in numbers. Sheikh Awad Wad Zaid is alsohead of all the Forawis and blacks under Mustafa Bakr. | |
| Hadendoa | Sheikh Idris Gadi (Nazir)[249] | Kassala | The Hadendoa under theGovernor of Kassala pay £E480 tribute (1904). Their principalgrazing grounds are the right bank of the Atbara and the Gash,north of Kassala. Both these districts, however, are subject toinvasions of the Suakin Arabs. Filik, on the Gash, used to be andis now to a lesser extent a great centre of the Hadendoa tribe. TheHadendoa are nomads and own large numbers of camels sheep, andgoats, also cattle. They do a little cultivating. They speak aRotana similar to that of the Beni Amer and Bisharin, etc., whichis said to be allied to that spoken by the Somalis. They usuallycarry very neatly made spears with shafts about 5 feet long boundat intervals with silver or brass wire, also circular shields about2 feet 6 inches in circumference made of hippo, buffalo, or giraffehide. Like the Bisharin, Beni Amer, Kababish, etc., they wear theirhair in the well-known “fuzzy-wuzzy” style. The Wililiab are theleading family of the Hadendoa tribe. | |
| „ El Berinab | Minni and Onur Ali, Mohammed AhmedAbbas. | Adarghayai. | ||
| „ „ | Ahmed Belal | Maman. | ||
| „ Gemilab (Taulil) | Omar Lalai | Maman. | ||
| „ Haikolab | Mohammed El Hag | Tebilol. | ||
| „ „ (Odi) | Ahmed Wakili | Odi. | ||
| „ Kalulei | Ali El Hadab | Atbara. | ||
| „ Gism El Gash | Mustafa Hamed | Temitatei. | ||
| „ Shebodinab (Kokreb.) | Hammad Musa | Tendera. | ||
| „ Shebodinab (El Bahr.) | Hamed Isa | Atbara north of Goz Regeb. | ||
| Halenga | Jaafar Ali | Kassala | Sedentary Arabs. Cultivators. | |
| Hamran Arabs | Omar Burbur | Setit | Sedentary Arabs. Very few and poor, butnearly all own horses. Omar Burbur is under Awad El Kerim WadZaid. | |
| Shukria, Butana Section | Ali Awad El Kerim Abu Sin, called also“Ali El Had.” | Butana, Rera, El Sofeiya, Um Rueishid,Gileita, etc. | Nomads. Cultivators and graziers.Formerly owned many camels, now possess very few. Some of theLahawin, Kawahla, and Batahin live in the Butana under “Ali ElHad.” Pay £E450 tribute. | |
| „ Atbara Section | Amara Mohammed Hammad Abu Sin. | River Atbara between K. Kutut and RametGaied. | The Lahawin (a White Nile camel-owningtribe), some of the Awaida, Kawahla, and Mogharba, also live on theAtbara under Amara Abu Sin. Pay £E325 tribute. | |
| „ Gedaref Section | Hammad Abu Sin | Gedaref, Wad Kabu, Beila, Rahad, GalaatArang, etc. | Sedentary. Chiefly cultivators. There aremore than 220 villages in the Gedaref district. | |
| Takarir | Sheraf Mohammed Abdalla | Gallabat and district | Shiekh Sheraf is head of allthe Gallabat district, the people of which are chiefly Takruris,Forawis, Kunjara, etc. | |
| KhartoumProvince.[248] Population 81,000 (1904). | ||||
| Ahamda | Mohammed El Ata | Geili | Sedentary. Small tribe. VideBlue Nile Province. | |
| Batahin (Ashama) | Mohammed Talha Abdel Bagi | Geili-Elwan | Sedentary. Cultivators. Camel and sheepowners. Vide Gezira Province. | |
| Butukab | Mohammed Talha Abdel Bagi | Geili-Elwan | Sedentary. Cultivators. Camel and sheepowners. Vide Gezira Province. | |
| Ereikat | Jadalla Isa | Omdurman and Khartoum | Belong to Darfur. Like the Taaisha andHabbania are now poor and earn their living as best they can inKhartoum and Omdurman, or cultivate in Gezira. | |
| Geriat | Mohammed Kirsha | Gaerin—Wadi Mogaddam | Nomads. Small tribe. | |
| Habbania | Mahmud Abu Saad | Omdurman and Khartoum | Belong to Darfur. Many are employed byWorks Department, etc., at Khartoum. | |
| Hassanab | Hassan Meki | Wad Hassuna | Vide Gezira. | |
| Hassania | Awad El Kerim Suleiman Kasir | Wad Hassuna, Wadi Tibna, West Bishara,and north of Gabra. | Majority belong to White NileProvince. | |
| Mashaikha | El Taib Abdel Salam | Um Dom, Karkoj, etc. | ||
| Mogharba (nomad) | Hassan Hamad El Deisis | Wad Ramla district | Vide Gezira Province. | |
| „ (sedentary) | El Taib Abdel Salam | Melaha, etc. | ||
| Taaisha | Mahmud Abu Saad (of Habbania) | Omdurman, Khartoum, and scattered inGezira. | Belong to Darfur. Vide alsoEreikat. | |
| Zeiadia | Jadalla Isa | Omdurman, Khartoum, andscattered in Gezira. | Belong to Darfur.Vide also Ereikat. | |
| KordofanProvince. Population 550,000 (1904). | ||||
| Agrab Nahud | Mustafa Ibrahim Abu Renat | Nahud | Sedentary. | |
| Ahamda[250] | Abdel Rahim Taha | Dar El Ahamda | Very poor. Sedentary Arabs. | |
| Aulad Hameid | Didan El Dervish | South of Dar El Ahamda | Baggara. Nomads. Poor and nowunimportant. Pay £E60 tribute. | |
| Bederia | Abdel Samad Abu Safia | Birket Sungikai and Abu Haraz | Large sedentary tribe. Pay£E400 tribute (1903). Good fighting men. | |
| Ebeid El Hag | El Obeid. | |||
| Beni Jerar[250] | Ahmed Mohammed Nubawi | Helba and Homra | Nomads. Large tribe. Pay about £E130tribute. Camel and sheep owners. Good fighters. | |
| Feraha | Omar Wad Gash | Khor Kheiran | Unimportant tribe. | |
| Ghodiat | Ibrahim Baggara | Rahad | Unimportant tribe. | |
| Gimma[250] | Ahmed El Bedawi Asaker | Gedid | Sedentary Arabs. Important tribe. Goodhorsemen. Cultivators and gum collectors. | |
| Gowama | Yasin Yusef | Between El Obeid and Dueim | Large sedentary Arab tribe.Cultivators and collectors of gum, and owners of sheep, goats,etc. | |
| Adam Maznuk | Rahad. | |||
| „ (Nahud) | Bokhari Ali | Nahud. | ||
| Habbania | El Tom Audun | Sherkeila and Ageila | Sedentary Baggara Arabs. Not numerous.Branch of the Habbania of Darfur. | |
| Hamar, Asaker | Ismail Mohammed El Sheikh | Nahud to Foga | Large and important Arabtribe. Camel owners and cultivators. Pay £E1,200 tribute (1903).Partly sedentary and partly nomad. Good fighting men. | |
| „ Degegin | Hamid Bey Fatin. | |||
| „ Gherasia | Abdel Rahim Bey Abu Dagal. | |||
| Hawazma, Abdel Ali | A large and powerful Baggaranomad Arab tribe, scattered over the plains amongst the Nuba hills.Own many horses, cattle, sheep, etc. Pay about £E800 tribute(1903). | |||
| „ Dar Beti | Hamed Asosa | Sungikai, Nila, and Dilling. | ||
| „ Walad Ghabush. | ||||
| „ Dar Gawad | Gad El Kerim. | |||
| „ Khalifa | Nur Hanur | J. Kadero to J. Gedir. | ||
| Toto Mahub. | ||||
| Bedawi Gadum. | ||||
| Hamad Abu Shilluk. | ||||
| „ Rowauga | Soma Lua | J. El Joghub and south. | ||
| Mohammed Bahlul. | ||||
| Shein Tobein. | ||||
| Homr | Ali Gula (Nazir) | Large and comparatively richBaggara tribe, owning cattle and horses. At present (1903) pay£E450 tribute. | ||
| „ Ageira Walad Omram | Mohammed Khadam | Muglad. | ||
| „ Ageira Walad Kamil | Masaud Iris | Muglad to Bahr El Arab. | ||
| „ Felaita | El Hag Wad Yagub | Keilak and Abiad Lakes. | ||
| Kababish | Ali Tom | Kagmar and north | Large nomad Arab tribe owning camels,sheep, etc. Pay £E850 tribute. Another branch lives in DongolaProvince. | |
| Kaja (Serrug) | Ibrahim Gurud | Kaja | Sedentary tribe. Poor; robbers. | |
| Kawahla | Abdalla Wad Gadalla | North-west of Bara | Large nomad Arab tribe,owning many camels. Pay £E1,000 tribute (1903). | |
| Badai Bakr | Dar Nuba. | |||
| Maagla | Beshir Dau El Beit | El Gleit. | ||
| Maalia | Abdalla Hanatir | El Mazrub | The bulk of this tribe belongs to Darfur.Pay £E60 tribute. | |
| Maganin | Mohammed Ali El Akheida | Dar Hamid | Sedentary Arabs, living in Dar Hamid. Pay£E150 tribute. | |
| Messeria | Mohammed El Fagir El Gaburi (Nazir). | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | A large and powerfulBaggara tribe, owning large numbers of cattle and horses. Pay £E800tribute. | |
| „ Un Selim. | ||||
| „ El Ghazaya | Bigada Abu Edena | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| „ El Derai | Nasr Mahil | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| „ El Enenat | Zakharia Adam | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| „ Aulad Abu Naaman | Omar Ahmed | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| „ El Terg | Ahmed Nurein | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| „ Aulad Haibun | Gebero Khalil | Dar Messeria (east and south-east of ElEddaiya). | ||
| Shanabla | Manhil Kheiralla | Between Um Dam and Dueim | Nomads. Camel and sheep owners. Pay £E400tribute. | |
| Shankhab[250] | Gubara Wad Geifun | Left bank of White Nilebetween Kawa and Goz Abu Guma. | More or less nomadic. Owncattle and sheep. Cultivate and collect gum. | |
Some Nuba Mountains and their Meks.
| Mountain. | Mek. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|
| Daier | Abu Zeida, etc. | All these Meks own toa varying number of rifles, with which they have been wont to fighteach other, and which have hitherto been indispensable for defenceagainst the raids of the Baggara Arabs of the surroundingplains. |
| Dilling | Isa El Deif. | |
| Eliri | Rizgalla Eluan (Hawazma Mowallad). | |
| Abdalla Kaka (Kawahla Mowallad). | ||
| Garada | El Fiki Fadl Zubeir. | |
| Gedir | Bosh Dau El Beit. | |
| Gulfan | El Ebeid El Nima. | Experience so farshows that neighbouring mountains will not support each other incombined opposition to the Government, but that rather almost anymountain is prepared to assist in the attack of any other. |
| El Joghub | Rahal Andal. | |
| Kadero | Gader Bey Ibrahim. | |
| Kawalib | Nasr Wad El Maksur. | |
| Kowarma | Orlandi and Kafi. | |
| Krongo | Kobang. | |
| Miri | Hamed Abu Sikin. | The Nuba mountainspay about £E1,000 per annum tribute (1903). |
| Niyima | Sultan Arauga. | |
| Rashad | Mohammed Zeibak. | |
| Saburi | Kafi Hamed. | |
| Sema | Gura Harun. | |
| Shat | Daldum Taib. | |
| Shuwei | Nasr Hamed. | |
| Tagale | Geili Adam. | |
| Tagoi | Mohammed Gedeil | At enmity with Mek Zeibak of Rashad. |
| Talodi | Sherif Am Omo (Homr Mowallad). | |
| Teisr | Toto Kilia. | |
| Tira El Akhdar | Ti Wad Ardila. | |
| Tira Mandi | Newi Omba. |
LIST OF TRIBES AND SHEIKHS (continued).
| Tribe. | Head Sheikh. | Habitat. | Remarks. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SennarProvince.[251] (Population 117,000 (1904). | ||||
| Agaliin | Mohammed Ahmed Abu Duma | Right bank of Blue Nile between Karkoj,Badus, and Khor Agaliin (K. Undul). | Partly nomads and partly sedentary. Poorand not numerous. Nomad portion graziers and breeders of camels,sheep, etc., and a few cattle. | |
| Sedentary, cultivators. Weapons: spearsand swords. | ||||
| Arakiin | Mohammed Wad El Tom | Wad Medani and Arakiin Khor, in theMedani district. | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofsheep and goats. Poor and not numerous; indifferent fighters. | |
| Burun | Idris Wad Regab | Jebel Gule, Surkum, and south | A black race somewhat resembling theNuers, but not warlike like them. Spears and bows and arrows. | |
| Dar Ageil | „ „ „ | Northern portion, Dar Fung | Nomads. Breeders of cattle, sheep, andhorses. Small tribe. | |
| Fung | „ „ „ | Jebel Gule, etc. | Sedentary. Cultivators onsmall scale. Poor and not very numerous. Good fighters, about 150rifles, also swords and spears. Breeders of sheep, goats, and a fewcattle. | |
| Hameg | „ „ „ | J. Gerebin, Roro, and south. | ||
| „ | Ahmed Abu Shotal | Roseires and vicinity, both banks of BlueNile. | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofsheep, and goats. Neither wealthy nor numerous. Good fighters.Spears and swords. | |
| Ingassana | Mohammed Ahmed El Fungiawi | J. Tabi and district. | Blacks. Armed with sickle-shapedswords. | |
| Jaalin | Saad El Shafii, Medani Ahmed, MohammedMahmud Agamia, Omar Mohammed. | Wad Medani, Senga, Karkoj | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofcattle, sheep, and goats. Wealthy and numerous. Good fighters.Spears and swords. | |
| Jebelawiin | Regab Hussein | Fazogli and Khor Tumat | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofsheep and goats. Fairly wealthy. Not numerous; fair fighters. 150rifles, some spears and swords. | |
| Kawahla | Yusef Mohammed Wad Ais | Wad Medani on east bank of Blue Nile;also near Sennar. | Nomads. Poor, and are small section ofthe big tribe in Kordofan; breeders of camels, sheep, and goats.Fair fighters. Nomads are graziers. Spears and swords. | |
| Abdalla Shah El Din | Wad Medani and Kawahla Khot in Medanidistrict. | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofsheep and goats. Poor and not numerous. Indifferent fighters. | ||
| Kenana, Abu Rihan | Hamed Abdalla Wad Gales | Wad Medani, between Rahad and Blue Nile.In rains move to El Butana. | Nomads. Small tribe. During the rainsthese nomads move into Kassala Province. Wealthy. Breeders ofcamels, cattle, and sheep, etc. Graziers, good fighters. Spears andswords. Pay £E270 tribute (1903). | |
| „ Kawatil | Vacant | Senga district, in the Kenana Khot;during winter and spring move as far south as Roseires; in rainspartly to Segadi. | Partly sedentary (Abu Rihan), but ownmore cattle and less camels. A few horses; these are on theincrease. During the rains the nomad section moves to Segadi. Pay£E160 tribute. | |
| „ El Siragia | Abd El Nabi Doheish | East bank of Blue Nile. Move to El Butanaduring rains. | Nomads. A few horses. Pay £E230 tribute(1903). | |
| El Khawalda | Mohammed Wad El Dau | Wad Medani and Khawalda Khot, in WadMedani district. | Sedentary. Cultivators and breeders ofsheep and goats. Indifferent fighters. Numerous and wealthy. A fewspears and swords. | |
| Rufaa El Hoi | Vacant | Left bank of Blue Nile, between Gesheishand El Disa. | Mostly nomads. Some sedentary. (Same asAgaliin.) Pay about £E100 tribute. | |
| Rufaa El Sharg | El Agab Abu Gin | R. Dinder | Partly nomads, partlysedentary. Wealthy and numerous. The nomad portion are breeders andgraziers of camels, sheep, and goats. The sedentary portion arecultivators with few cattle. Spears and swords; fair fighters.During the rains a certain number move into Kassala Province. Pay£E200 tribute. | |
| SuakinProvince.[252] Population 60,000 (1904); withoutNomads, 14,000. | ||||
| Amarar, Fadlab | None appointed | Dissibil and Akarbei | The Amarar are a large and comparativelywealthy nomad tribe about whom, however, little is known atpresent. Their tribute was assessed at £E1,100 (1903). Hamed Beywas formerly Nazir, but is now so no longer. He is in receipt ofmonthly pension (£4) for his past loyalty to Government. There isat present (1904) no Nazir of this tribe. | |
| „ Abdel Rahmanab | Onur Ali Lebab | Wadi Amur and Agent. | ||
| „ Kilab and Aliab | Mohammed Dobalob | Hadai and Wadi Amur | Another branch “Minniab” live on Atbaraunder Musa Adlan. | |
| „ Kurbab (Hawan) | Mohammed Ali Hamed | Selalat and K. Haieit. | ||
| „ „ (Wagadab) | Hassan Bufori | J. Girba and K. Asser. | ||
| „ Nurab | Abu Fatma Hassab | Abdalla Rai, Tokar | Ali Adam, formerly Sheikh, is in receiptof monthly pension (£2) for past good services. | |
| „ Musaiab | Ahmed Bakash | Ariab, Amur, etc. | ||
| „ Sandarait | Mohammed Gwali Or | Sotriba and Bawati | Gwali Or was the last Amarar Sheikh toacknowledge Government. | |
| Arteiga | Badani Rashid | Tokar | Cultivate near Tokar. | |
| Ashraf | O’Sheikh Walad Koi | Ambakta, Tantik, and Tokar. | ||
| Beni Amer | Mohammed Osman Hamed (Nazir) | Khor Haieit, Karora, Agik, and Tokar | Mohammed Osman lives at Kassala—SalehIdris is his Wakil at Suakin. The Suakin Beni Amer pay £350 tribute(1903). | |
| Habab | Mahmud Kantibai | Adwan and Tokar | Came from Eritrea where greater part oftribe is still. | |
| Hadendoa (Amerab) | Said El Hassan (Nazir)[253] | Sinkat | The Hadendoa are a powerful nomad tribeowning many camels, sheep and goats, and few cattle. They live,roughly speaking, between Suakin, Goz Regeb, and Kassala. Like theBisharin, Beni Amer, etc., they speak a Rotana said to be allied tothat of the Somalis. Vide also Kassala. The SuakinHadendoa pay £E600 tribute (1903). | |
| „ (Bishariab) | Mohammed Adam Halgo | Hadarbab and Tebilol. | ||
| „ (Garieb) | Ismail Abu Aisha | Sidate, Dirbob, and K. Abent. | ||
| „ (Gemilab) | Abu Bakr Ahmed El Amin | Warriba, Dageint, Shaba, K. Osir, andSiterab. | A large sub-tribe, divided into two mainbranches “Hararwab” and “Taulil,” former belong to Suakin, latterto Kassala. Hararwab section pay £120 tribute (1903). | |
| „ (Hamdab) | Abdel Gader Hamed Dau | Wadi Amur, K. Arab, Kokreb, andHareitri. | Cultivate a good deal of dura. Pay £150tribute (1903). | |
| „ (Samarar — Abdel — Aar). | El Amin Mohammed Hamagab | Warateb. | ||
| „ (Samarar — Farag — aliab). | Musa Mohammed Ali | Khor Baraka | Part graze on Gash in autumn, partcultivate near Tokar. | |
| „ (Sharaab) | Omar Tita | Erkowit | Visit the Gash for grazing in theautumn. | |
| Kemilab | Mohammed Abdel Gader | Tokar and Durur | Most go to Gash for grazing in autumn,rest cultivate near Tokar. | |
| Shaiab | Mohammed Musa Adam | Tokar and K. Langeb | Cultivate near Tokar. Pay £E150tribute. | |
| Rasheida | Marshud Saleh | Atbara | In 1900 Marshud’s father,formerly Sheikh of this tribe, was imprisoned for slave-dealing andwas subsequently expelled from the Sudan. Vide also tribesof Berber Province. | |
| Upper NileProvince.[254] Population 150,000 (?). | ||||
| Agiba | Nadgweir | R. Gnatila and Agwei (Upper Pibor). | Visited for first time in September,1904. | |
| Aliab | Anok | Left bank of Bahr El Jebel from a littlenorth of 5° 30′ to a little north of Bor. | Said to be a distinct tribe, neitherBaris nor Dinkas, but with characteristics of both. Rich in cattleand grain. Visited for first time in April, 1904. | |
| Anuak[255] (Sobat) | Aiwil Agwot | Fatiwangyang; right bank of Sobat | A poor feeble tribe muchdown-trodden by the Nuers. Most of the Anuaks are under Abyssinia.The Sudan Anuaks appear to have lost their individuality and tohave become more or less absorbed by the Nuers. | |
| „ (Pibor) | Okani or Okwai | Shian Okan | ||
| „ (Baro) | Geilo[255] | Itang | These Anuaks are friendly andindustrious. | |
| Bari | Lowala (right bank), Leggi (rightbank). | Both banks of Bahr El Jebelfrom north latitude 6°, to Gondokoro and south. | Friendly but poor. Governmentnot yet much in touch with any except those near Mongalla.Cultivate a good deal of dura. | |
| Lado (right bank), Lado Kanga (rightbank). | ||||
| Mudi (left bank). | ||||
| Beri or Beir (north) | Lom | About 60 miles inland from Bor (?) | Government has not yet visited thisbranch of the tribe (1904). Dinkas of Bor much afraid of Lom. | |
| „ (south) | Alikori | J. Lafol, 47 miles east-south-east fromMongalla. | Friendly to Government. Visited byCaptain W. N. Borton, May, 1904. | |
| Dinka (White Nile) | The Dinkas are cattle-ownersprincipally, but cultivate as a rule little more than is sufficientfor their own needs. They have no head Sheikh, but each section isindependent. Their characteristics and language vary considerably,according to the locality they inhabit. The only sections withwhich the Government is now (1904) really in touch are those livingon the White Nile. A census of these sections was made in February,1903, and their number was then estimated at 7,300 men, women, andchildren, possessing 8,000 cattle, 16,000 sheep, and 13,000 goats,on which their taxes are assessed at about £800. | |||
| „ Bowom | Yol Wad Kur | Right bank of White Nile at and nearRenk. | ||
| „ Akon | Bakhit Niok | Right bank of White Nile from 1 mile to10 miles south of Renk. | ||
| „ Giel | Salem Banga | Right bank of White Nile from Elwat toMeshra Zeraf-Awitong. | ||
| „ Ageir | Akol Wad Shol | Right bank of White Nile from MeshraZeraf to Khor Adar. | ||
| „ Beia | Anyan Wad Yor Din | Right bank of White Nile up KhorAdar. | ||
| „ Niel | Wol Wad Lual | Right bank of White Nile up Khor Adar andnear Kodok. | ||
| „ Dunjol (Sobat) | Aiyung Wad Agwot | Right bank of White Nile oppositeKodok. | The Dinkas of the Sobat and Bahr El Jebelare now (1904) being taken in hand, and the headquarters of theInspector for this district is at Abwong. | |
| „ Gnok Deng | Maiang | Gokjak to Wang Nait. Right and leftbanks. | Pay £E450 taxes, 1904.These two sections own about 7,000 cattle and 7,500 sheep. | |
| „ Rueng | Kur Mantoj | From Khor Filus across to J. Zeraf andbehind K. Atar. | ||
| „ Left bank White Nile, near LakeNo | Bilkwai | Left bank of White Nile near LakeNo. | During Mahdia lived near JebelIliri. | |
| „ (Bahr El Zeraf) | Twi or Twich | Right bank of Bahr El Zeraf nearlyopposite to Shambe. | The chief with whom Mr. Grogan had somedifficulty. Appear to be not unfriendly to Government, but are noton good terms with the Dinkas at Bor. | |
| „ (Bahr El Jebel) | Byor and Kur | Bor and neighbourhood | Much afraid of Sheikh Lom of the Beritribe. Very friendly to Government. | |
| Nuer | Kwandai | At Torkoyt on the right bank of Sobatopposite Nasser. Fishing quarters on Pibor in January andFebruary. | Said to be friendly to Government.Frequently visits Nasser Post. Reported to have left Torgoytopposite Nasser, May, 1904, and to have moved into the Anuakcountry further west. | |
| Gang | Tawfot, east of Nasser, right bank ofSobat, and fishing quarters on River Mokwai and Pibor in Januaryand February. | Said to be unfriendly to Government(1904). Nyal, Sheikh of Ajungmir on Baro, who is under Gangappears, however, quite friendly. | ||
| Jok | Koratong, fishing quarters lower down onPibor at Bil, etc. | Friendly to Government. Jok is a son ofthe late Sheikh Yohe. | ||
| Denkur | Keik-Khor Filus | Sheikh of Lau section. Powerful and saidto be still opposed to the Government. Other Nuer chiefs on K.Filus are Kwoin Gol (Nerol), Lemtut Thiang (Wunleng), and Adol, thetwo former are said to be in favour of the Government, whilst thelatter adheres to Denkur. | ||
| Fadur | Between Bahr El Zeraf and Bahr ElJebel. | Sheikh of Lak district. Believed to befriendly. | ||
| Toi Wad Thief | Kuek, right bank of Bahr El Zeraf | Friendly to Government; visited KhartoumJanuary, 1904. Sheikh of Thiang district. | ||
| Diu | Faki, right bank of Bahr El Zeraf, nearAjiung. | Said to be powerful and unfriendly toGovernment. | ||
| The Nuers are very large cattle owners.Government is at present little in touch with them as they appearunable to eradicate from their minds the memories of the slaveraids in the time of the old Government. They are expert hunters ofelephants with spears, and great fishermen. They appear to be morepowerful than the other tribes adjoining them, but seem to havelittle combination. The Nuer tribal mark consists of six horizontallines across the forehead. | ||||
| Nyal | Island formed by Bahr El Jebel and BahrEl Zeraf. | Sheikh of Gaweir section. VisitedKhartoum May, 1904. | ||
| Shilluk | Fadiet Wad Kwad Keir | Mostly on left bank of White Nile fromKaka to Lake No. A few live further north, and there is a sectionliving on both sides of the Sobat near its mouth, also on KhorAtar. | The Shilluks are governed by a Mek orking elected according to tribal custom, subject to the approval ofthe Governor General. The Mek has judicial powers based on tribalcustoms, but all decisions are subject to the right of appeal tothe Governor at Kodok. Their number was estimated (1903) at 10,300males, and 29,000 women and children. In 1903 their cattle wasestimated at 12,200 and their sheep and goats at 63,000. They alsodo a good deal of cultivation, and in years of good harvest theirgrain is an important factor in the food supply of Omdurman andKhartoum. | |
| Arabs, Gowama | Abu El Gasim | Fama | Small branch of Gowama from Taiara. | |
| „ Hawazma | Abdel Wahab | Fama and J. Iliri | Branch of the Kordofan Hawazma. | |
| „ Kenana | Faki Hamed | Atara, north-west of Kodok | Few and poor. Wear their hair brushedback in long curls or plaits. | |
| „ Selim | El Hag Suleiman | Left bank of White Nile from Jebelein tonear Kaka. | Baggara Arabs, who, however,own few cattle, but many sheep and goats. Do little cultivating.Tribute, £200. | |
| Right bank from Jebelein to nearRenk. | ||||
List of Tribes in Darfur arranged according to their former Provinces.[256]
| Name of Tribe. | Head Sheikh. | Residence. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. FasherProvince. | |||
| Baza | El Fiki Mohammed | Fasher and surroundings | Sedentary. Small tribe. |
| Beni Fadl | Mohammed Nasr El Din | Burush to J. El Hella | Sedentary Arabs. Cultivators and smallowners of cattle and sheep. |
| Berti | Adam Tamim | From Melit to J. El Hella and Tagabo | Large tribe. Sedentary. Originallyslaves. Cultivators. |
| Beshir | Saleh Daud | Near Fasher | Arabs. Cultivators. |
| Fellata | Bakr Geigar | Masarra | Sedentary black tribe. Cultivators. |
| Fors, Kunjara | ? | ||
| „ Masabat | ? | ||
| „ Tungur | Ahmed Rashid | Kutum, and east of J. Marra, to J.Haraz. | Fors. Related to Royal Family. |
| Tarjam | Salem | Near Fasher | Fors. Cultivators. |
| Gimma | Under Sheikh of Berti | Ergud | Arabs. Small tribe. Cultivators. |
| Gimr | Ahmed Beida, Sultan Dar Gimr. | West of Kebkebia | Cultivating Arabs. Considered veryaristocratically bred. |
| Hawara | Hasabo | Around Fasher | Originally Egyptian Arabs. Very few.Traders and owners of cattle. |
| Jileidat | ? | J. Oba, near J. El Hella | Arabs. Cultivators. |
| Kaja | ? | Kaja Serrug | A large black tribe. Cultivators. |
| Kurubat | Fiki Fakhr El Din | Fasher | Arabs. Traders. |
| Meidob | ? | Near El Fasher | Black sedentary tribe. Poor. Cultivators.Owners of sheep and donkeys. |
| Mima | Ahmed Bakr | J. Fafa; 2 days south of El Fasher | Small sedentary tribe. Originally fromBorgu. Cultivators. |
| Tireifia | Ahmed Karar | Fasher. Formerly living at Kobe | Sedentary Arabs. Originally from Dongola.Traders and owners of cattle. |
| Takarir | No Sheikh | El Fasher, and scattered aboutDarfur | Black tribe. Few. Traders. |
| Wahia | Dau El Beit | Around Fasher | Originally from the oases. Traders andcultivators. Very few. |
| Zaghawa | Mustafa Wad Bakr | Dar El Zaghawa, 1 day north of Fasher,and west to north of Wadai. | Black Arabs. Large tribe. Mostlysedentary. Cultivators and breeders of camels and cattle. |
| Zeiadia | Hemedo (Jadalla Isa, now atOmdurman). | Melit | Arabs. Cultivators. Formerly rich andbreeders of best horses in Darfur. Now small tribe, poor. |
| II. DaraProvince. | |||
| Beigo | Abu Bakr Naga (now with Ali Dinar atFasher). | South of Dara | Blacks. Originally from Faroge in B. ElGhazal. Cultivators. Sedentary. |
| Beni Helba | Abdel Rahman Habbo | South-west of Dara in Wadi Azum | Baggara Arabs. Nomads and sedentary.Cultivators, and formerly owners of large numbers of horses,cattle, sheep, and donkeys. Now poor. |
| Birgid | ? | South of Dara | Blacks; not slaves. Cultivators.Sedentary. |
| Bornu | ? | Menawashi | Black tribe. Traders and small cattleowners. |
| Dajo | Suleiman | Near Dara | A black tribe, poor. Cultivators. |
| Habbania | Bahri Wad Osman (Mohammed Abu Saad,Omdurman). | Kalaka | Large sedentary Baggara Arab tribe.Cultivators and traders (Sheikh Mohammed Abu Saad, Omdurman). |
| Maalia, Maaglia | Belal Wad Ahmed Dau Dau | Between Shakka and Taweisha | Arabs. Mostlysedentary. Cultivating dukhn and water-melons. |
| „ Um Kreim | |||
| Rizeigat, Um Ahmed. | Musa Madibbo | Abu Gabra and Shakka.(Bounded on north by Fors and Maalia; east by Homr; on south byBahr El Arab; and west by Habbania. | Large nomad Baggaratribe. Formerly most powerful tribe in Darfur, possessing 3.000horses. Now comparatively poor. |
| Rizeigat, Abu Salim | |||
| Taaisha | (Kubr Abd el Rahman, Omdurman). | Between Habbania on east and Dar Sula onwest; south of Beni Helba and north of Dar Fertit. | Formerly cultivating nomad Baggara Arabs.Now mostly sedentary. Cultivators. Formerly rich, now poor. |
| III. KebkebiaProvince. | |||
| Bedaiat | ? | North and north-east of Wadai | Black nomad Arabs, connected with theZaghawa. Owners of camels, horses, and sheep. They never cultivate,but live on meat, milk, and dates. |
| Beni Hussein | ? | West of Kebkebia | Nomad Arabs—now few in number. |
| Mahria, Ereigat | Mahakkar Mohammed Ali | From Kebkebia to Fasher, and atMelit. | Formerly nomad Arabs. Cultivators. Poortribe. Originally belonged to Rizeigat. |
| „ Nawaiba | ? | ||
| „ Mahamid | ? | ||
| Masalat | Abu Bakr Ismail | Dar Masalat, south of Dar Tama | A large independent black tribe. |
| Tama | Senin | Kebkebia, on west frontier of Darfur,between Zaghawa and Dar Masalat. | Black tribe owning horses. Cultivators.Will not acknowledge Ali Dinar. |
| Mountaineers | ? | Nurnia, and other villages in J.Marra | Black tribes. Owners of cattle andcultivators of wheat, etc. Collectors of honey and salt. |
GENEALOGICAL TREE SHOWING THE DESCENT OF THE PRINCIPAL BAGGARA TRIBES.
(According to Kubr Abdel Rahman, Sheikh of the Guberat Section (late Khalifa’s) of the Taaisha.)
| Shaker(descended from Beni Abbas tribe). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ahmed El Ajdum (theleper). | Hamed El Afzar (the hollowbacked). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shaker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salama (stepson)(Salamat in Borgu). | Jeneid. | Helba (slave)(Beni Helba, Darfur). | Hamid (Dar Hamidin Kordofan). | Hamar (Hamar inKordofan). | Zeiad (Zeiadia,Darfur). | Maalla (Maalia,Darfur). | |||||||||||||||||||
| “Abala,” or camel-owning tribes.Not Baggara. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rashid. | Heimad. | Atia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zebada (Zebadia inDarfur). | Ziut. | Hamda. | Azid. | Hasaballa. | Habbana (Habbaniaat Kalaka in Darfur). | Firan (Feierinwith Homr and in Borgu). | Hameid (AuladHameid, J. Gedir), brother of Nazir, killed with Khalifa. | Rizeig (Rizeigatat Shakka), in Darfur. | Messir (Messeria,south-west El Obeid). | Hawazma (south ofEl Obeid). | Talab(Taelba). | Reiyan(Rowaina). | |||||||||||||
| (Aulad Rashid, living mostly inBorgu.) | Unimportant tribes in Darfur. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amr. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ahmed (nicknamed “Taaish” byhis nurse (Taaisha, west of Kalaka, Darfur). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Selim are true Arabs and Baggara; they are said to be descended from the Beni Abbas tribe. The Gimma, Gowama, and Bederia are not true Arabs, and are said to be descended from Nubas and others. The Kenana Khazama, Geheina (Kawahla, Shenabla, etc.) are descended from the Koreish tribe, and are chiefly Abâla, or camel owners. It is stated that many of the Baggara, who moved westwards into Borgu after the fall of Omdurman, are now moving eastwards into Southern Darfur.
N.B.—Tribes shown in the above table as nearly allied are found residing in adjoining districts at the present day.
[245]In addition to these tribes, there is a considerable sedentary population residing along the river banks.
[246]In addition to the tribes mentioned below, there is a large sedentary mixed population in the Gezira, composed of representatives of most tribes in the Sudan.
[247]These tribes belong to the White Nile Province (1905).
[248]In addition to the above tribes there is a large sedentary population composed of representatives of almost every tribe in the Sudan.
[249]Sheikh Ibrahim Musa was appointed Nazir of the whole of the Hadendoa in Kassala and Suakin in October, 1904.
[250]Belong to White Nile Province (1905).
[251]In addition to the above tribes there is a large mixed sedentary population comprising amongst others Arabs of many of the Baggara tribes of Western Kordofan and Darfur.
[252]As the majority of these tribes wander far and wide in search of pasture, which varies in accordance with the rains, it is impossible to give their localities accurately.
[253]Ibrahim Musa is Nazir of the whole tribe, including the Hadendoa in Kassala Province as well as in Suakin Province. He is paid by Government, and has certain responsibilities as regards the collection of tribute, etc.
[254]With the exception of the Arab tribes the inhabitants of the Upper Nile Province are pagans. The Dinkas, Shilluks, etc., who return to their country from north having been converted to Islam, seem to exercise no religious influence over their heathen brethren.
[255]The head Sheikh of the Abyssinian Anuaks or Yambos is Odial; he is called by the Abyssinians Abajali. The Sheikh of Anuaks at Finkio is Ojilo.
[256]From information by Sir R. Von Slatin Pasha and natives of Darfur.
APPENDIX G.
BOUNDARIES OF PROVINCES (DEFINED).