Re: Darfurian Roots

Hi there,

There is a wonderful book by Julie Flint (who is a journalist) and Alex De Waal (a researcher in Harvard) about Darfur and its history. I would defintley recommend the book.

As for the "origins" of people who currently live in that area, I guess its hard to pin down, for different reasons. One of which is related to the changing political map of Sudan through the centuries. I guess it is a bit like what used to be called "Germany" in Europe, which is now divided up into smaller "new countries". What I know is that the historic cente of Darfur is not the peak at the south of the massif, but the drier mountains, up north. Five centuries ago or so, between Kutum, Kebkabiya and Korma, centerlized states were created. There was an empire called Tunjur, and then came Fur Sultante, which is the first Muslim state in Darfur (that is during the middle of the 17th century). That sultnate was the most powerful state within what we now call Sudan. Both Arabic and Fur were the spoken languages at the time. I guess its the typical story of Africa embracing Islam and hence gaining multiple identities.

Again, going back to your original question, I would be inclined to say that people who were/are there, are African-Arab nomads, who travel something like 300 kms in and out of the sudanese border.

Hope that helps!

r.

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