16th century – 19th century
Nile Valley, Sudan
The Abdallabi state emerged from the conquest of the kingdom of ‘Aiwa’ by an Arab confederacy led by ‘Abdallah Djamma’. Governed from Kerri on the Nile, it exercised influence over northern Gezira, the Butana, and possibly Beja groups. Defeated by the Fundj at Arbadji in 1504, its king became a vassal, while Abdallabi rulers continued as feudatories in the northern part of the Fundj Sultanate until the Turco-Egyptian conquest in 1820.
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The Story
The Abdallabi state was founded by a confederacy of Arab kabilas led by their chief ‘Abdallah Djamma’, known as “the Gatherer.” During the second half of the fifteenth century, this coalition conquered the kingdom of ‘Aiwa’, and the capture of Soba signalled the rise of Arab influence in the eastern Bilad al-Sudan.
‘Abdallah Djamma’ and his descendants established their government at Kerri, north of Soba, on the Nile. The location gave them access to the Butana Arabs whose support was essential, while also allowing them to observe movements along and across the Nile valley. Their hegemony appears to have extended over northern Djazira, the Butana east of the Nile, and perhaps some Beja groups.
The state did not develop strong independent institutions before confronting the Fundj, cattle nomads moving down the Blue Nile. The two forces probably fought over grazing land north of the Djazira. At Arbadji in 1504, the Fundj defeated the Abdallabi and reduced their king to vassal status. Abdallabi rulers nevertheless retained authority as Fundj feudatories until the Turco-Egyptian conquest of 1820.
16th century – 19th century
Nile Valley, Sudan
The Abdallabi state emerged from the conquest of the kingdom of ‘Aiwa’ by an Arab confederacy led by ‘Abdallah Djamma’. Governed from Kerri on the Nile, it exercised influence over northern Gezira, the Butana, and possibly Beja groups. Defeated by the Fundj at Arbadji in 1504, its king became a vassal, while Abdallabi rulers continued as feudatories in the northern part of the Fundj Sultanate until the Turco-Egyptian conquest in 1820.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Abdallabi state was founded by a confederacy of Arab kabilas led by their chief ‘Abdallah Djamma’, known as “the Gatherer.” During the second half of the fifteenth century, this coalition conquered the kingdom of ‘Aiwa’, and the capture of Soba signalled the rise of Arab influence in the eastern Bilad al-Sudan.
‘Abdallah Djamma’ and his descendants established their government at Kerri, north of Soba, on the Nile. The location gave them access to the Butana Arabs whose support was essential, while also allowing them to observe movements along and across the Nile valley. Their hegemony appears to have extended over northern Djazira, the Butana east of the Nile, and perhaps some Beja groups.
The state did not develop strong independent institutions before confronting the Fundj, cattle nomads moving down the Blue Nile. The two forces probably fought over grazing land north of the Djazira. At Arbadji in 1504, the Fundj defeated the Abdallabi and reduced their king to vassal status. Abdallabi rulers nevertheless retained authority as Fundj feudatories until the Turco-Egyptian conquest of 1820.
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