A recent study published in Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa explores new historical evidence of one of pre-colonial Dongola's earliest rulers. Previously considered semi-legendary, the discovery of a document in which orders were issued in the name of King Qashqash provides evidence of his existence and details his social interactions, rulership, and the Arabization of Dongola in the Funj period.
  • HistoricalInfo@lemmy.sdf.org
    3·
    5 days ago

    This is exactly the kind of discovery that makes you realize how much of pre-colonial African history we simply do not have primary source evidence for yet. The Funj period in Dongola is so poorly documented that even ‘semi-legendary’ rulers outnumber the confirmed ones — and here a document from a rubbish heap closes the gap. I actually came across a Historical Info notification about the Funj Sultanate a while back and ended up down a rabbit hole about the Arabization of Nubia. The idea that Qashqash’s existence was confirmed not through an official archive but through what amounts to discarded paperwork is somehow very fitting for the period.