By Prof. Dr. Faid Mohammed Said
Column: Islamic Kingdoms in Africa – Humanity, Knowledge, and Forgotten History
Introduction: Islamic Africa and Its Forgotten Legacy
Islamic history is often recounted through the glories of Baghdad, Damascus, and Cordoba. Yet, Sub-Saharan Africa was once home to vibrant Islamic civilizations, many of which remain overlooked or marginalized in official historical narratives. Among these stands the Sultanate of Sennar (The Funj)—a distinctive Islamic entity that emerged in central Sudan. This sultanate uniquely bridged the scholarly and spiritual traditions of the East, represented by Al-Azhar, and those of the West, epitomized by Timbuktu, forming a cultural corridor between the eastern and western regions of the African continent.
I. An Overview of the Sultanate of Sennar (The Funj)
The Sultanate of Sennar also known as the Funj Sultanate was an Islamic state established in what is now central Sudan. It lasted from the early 16th century until the early 19th century (1504–1821 CE). Its capital, Sennar, became a beacon for Islamic propagation deep into the Sudanese hinterlands and served as a prominent religious, educational, and political hub in the Middle Nile Valley.
II. Founding Figures of the Sultanate
- ‘Amara Dunqas: Regarded as the true founder of the Sultanate, he declared its establishment following an alliance with Arab tribes led by ‘Abd Allah Jama‘a, after the fall of the Christian kingdom of Alwa. He is remembered for his wisdom and his ability to integrate Arab and African traditions into a unified state.
- ‘Abd Allah Jama‘a: An Arab leader from the Qahtani tribes, he played a key role in consolidating Islamic governance. His strong ties with scholars and preachers greatly facilitated the spread of Islam and the teaching of Sharia across the region.
III. Date of Establishment and Geographic Reach
The Sultanate was officially founded in 1504 CE, and its influence extended:
- From the White Nile in the east to Kordofan in the west,
- From Khartoum in the north to the upper reaches of the Blue Nile in the south.
This strategic positioning made it a vital link between Egypt, Abyssinia, and Timbuktu.
IV. Achievements of the Sultanate
- Spread of Islam and Quranic education in Nubian and central Sudanese regions.
- Establishment of educational institutions and Quranic schools (khalawi), attracting students from various regions.
- Formation of an Islamic administrative system combining Sharia law with tribal custom.
- Expansion of regional trade and connections to centers of pilgrimage and knowledge such as Al-Azhar, Mecca, and Timbuktu.
V. Causes of the Sultanate’s Decline
- Breakdown of central authority and the rise of tribal fragmentation.
- Decline in religious and educational institutions.
- Invasion of Sudan by Muhammad Ali Pasha in 1821 CE.
- Economic collapse due to internal strife and recurring drought.
VI. The Sultanate Through the Eyes of Muslim Historians
- Several Islamic sources reference the Sultanate, including:
- ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Jabarti: Noted the scholarly and religious exchanges between Sudanese and Egyptian scholars.
- Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi: In his travelogues, he remarked on the Sultanate’s strong adherence to Sufism and the Shafi‘i school, stating that “the scholars of the Funj send their students to study at Al-Azhar.”
VII. The Sultanate in African Historiography
- Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegalese historian):
- “African history has been distorted by Eurocentric Orientalist narratives, yet historical evidence proves that Islamic kingdoms like Sennar were advanced centers of civilization.”
- John Henrik Clarke (Ghanaian thinker):
- “He who controls history, controls how a people perceive themselves… The Sultanate of Sennar is a vital model that must be reclaimed in Africa’s collective consciousness.”
- R.S. O’Fahey & J. Spaulding (modern historians):
- “The Funj Sultanate marked a pivotal shift in Sudanese state formation, with increased Islamization, the rise of Sufism, and the emergence of new religious elites.”
VIII. The Sultanate in Orientalist Writings
- A.C.S. Peacock (University of St Andrews):
- “Ottoman sources reveal a cooperative relationship between the Funj Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire, wherein the Sultanate maintained political autonomy in exchange for religious and doctrinal alignment.”
- P. M. Holt:
- “Sennar represented the eastern link in a chain of Islamic states stretching across the Sahel and sub-Saharan Sudan.”
- Alan Moorhead, in The Blue Nile:
- “The end of the Sultanate of Sennar was tragic… Its capital in ruins, and its last Sultan lacking the acumen to recognize the looming northern threat.”
IX. The Sultanate in Contemporary Research
- Leading universities are increasingly incorporating studies of the Sultanate of Sennar into African Islamic Studies, with doctoral theses on Sufi Islam in Sudan appearing at Harvard and Columbia.
- Reports from the University of Warsaw highlight the absence of systematic archaeological excavations at Sennar’s site, complicating efforts to reconstruct its urban identity.
- Initiatives such as “Islam in the Global South” aim to reframe Sennar as a sovereign religious power, distinct from Eastern paradigms.
X. The Sultanate’s Relevance to Contemporary African Generations
The Sultanate of Sennar stands as a compelling African civilizational model that reflects the continent’s capacity to develop just, faith-based systems of governance rooted in local traditions and tribal norms. It offers today’s youth a lesson in drawing strength from history to craft a future that harmonizes authenticity with modernity.
Conclusion: The Lessons of History and the Compass of the Future
The Sultanate of Sennar teaches us that true glory is sustained through knowledge, unity, and justice. Nations that neglect their past risk losing their compass in the present. Our task today is not to romanticize this past nostalgically, but to reclaim it as a foundation for the future—one that challenges reductive views of both Africa and Islam, and builds on a legacy of spiritual and civilizational depth.
References and Sources
- Hasan Ahmad Ibrahim, The Islamic Funj Sultanate in Sudan, University of Khartoum.
- Yusuf Fadl Hasan, A History of the Islamic Era in Sudan.
- ‘Abd Allah al-Tayyib, Language and Culture in Medieval Sudan.
- Muhammad Sa‘id al-Qaddal, Modern History of Sudan.
- P. M. Holt, “The Funj Origins: A Critique and New Evidence,” Journal of African History.
- A. C. S. Peacock, “Ottomans and the Funj Sultanate,” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies.
- Alan Moorhead, The Blue Nile, Harper.
- R.S. O’Fahey & J. Spaulding, Kingdoms of the Sudan, London.
- Cheikh Anta Diop, The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality.
- John Henrik Clarke, African People in World History.
- University of Warsaw Reports – Department of African Archaeology.
- Doctoral Theses from Harvard and Columbia – on Islam in Central Sudan.
