A recent study has unveiled significant insights into the ancient city of Dongola, a prominent social and trade hub in the 16th century. Authors took a deep look at the narrative of Takla ‘Alfā. In 1555, an Ethiopian monk named Abba Makary wrote a striking first-person account of his time residing in Dongola. His writings provide valuable context regarding the city’s Islamic transition and its bustling trade activities, underscoring Dongola’s importance in connecting various regions through commerce.
Takla ’Alfā’s narration indicates that by the beginning of the 16th century, Dongola had long since converted to Islam. He mentioned that the city’s inhabitants were completely Islamized by 1596, a turning point in the cultural life of the city. Archaeological evidence backs this up. More dramatically, they show a near total absence of pig remains, a powerful indicator of the cultural shift toward Islam and its food taboos. Furthermore, the fact that Dongola has Arabic writing is further evidence of this transformation.
The Role of Gelaba Merchants
Perhaps one of the most striking, unexpected highlights from Takla ‘Alfā’s writings is his recognition of the presence of “gelaba” merchants in Dongola. The term comes from the Arabic language and describes long-distance merchants. It is the earliest attested use of such a word documented in Sudanese sources. Researchers think that these gelaba merchants were the ones organizing and keeping caravans operating. They made their journey along existing trade routes between Egypt, Sudan, and Chad.
“gelaba is a loanword from Arabic, which stands for long-distance traders, and it is in fact the earliest known mention of this term in our sources concerning Sudan. In later centuries, gelaba were very often mentioned as operators of caravans on a network of routes connecting the regions of modern-day Egypt, Sudan, and Chad. Their mention in this text shows that they were already a significant social group in the late 16th century, and that the routes traveled in the 17th and 18th centuries were already in operation.” – Dr. Dzierzbicka and Dr. Elagina
The research presented in the documentary indicates these trade routes were real. Most importantly, they were actively used during Takla ‘Alfā’s time. With these observations he makes the case that Dongola served as a bustling entrepot, connecting traders over hundreds of miles.
Archaeological Evidence of Trade Networks
The archaeological record reinforces Takla ‘Alfā’s account by attesting a continual importation of luxury goods into Dongola. Excavations of the neighborhood have uncovered remarkable remnants dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These treasures mostly came from or traveled through Egypt. These findings reveal that Dongola already was on the periphery of vast trade networks. Remarkably, this unification took place long before the wealth seen in subsequent eras.
“The archaeological finds show a steady trickle of imported goods into the city, mainly from or through Egypt, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries.” – Dr. Dzierzbicka and Dr. Elagina
Additionally, Takla ‘Alfā’s documentation helps situate these non-local objects found during excavations. His impressive descriptions remind us that an active exchange of goods flourished long before the historical record had any modern evidence to offer.
“Takla ‘Alfā’s mention of gelaba and the obvious activity on the long-distance route he wanted to follow from Ethiopia, through Dongola, to Egypt and onward to Jerusalem, gives context to the non-local objects found during excavations. Importantly, the colophon shows that this traffic of commodities was already flourishing in the 16th century, for which our evidence is scarcer.” – Dr. Dzierzbicka and Dr. Elagina
The Importance of Interdisciplinary Research
The biography of Takla ‘Alfā has been largely unknown until now because of its unusual linguistic and contextual nature. Few other scholars have realized that its importance for grasping the forces shaping our economic and social history have largely gone unrecognized.
Nubian studies
Specialists in Nubian studies primarily operate with source materials in Greek, Coptic, Old Nubian, and Arabic. Consequently, the Ethiopic text is frequently ignored.
“It is no surprise that the colophon’s significance for economic and social history has largely gone unnoticed until now. The 1930s edition and Latin translation of the colophon were difficult to access, and the commentary was very limited.” – Dr. Dzierzbicka and Dr. Elagina
Most importantly, researchers argue that to understand the full scope of Takla ‘Alfā’s contributions, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. His rare perspective provides an essential connection between Ethiopian studies and Nubian history.
“On the other hand, the setting it describes is very far from Ethiopia, placing it outside the scope of interest of Ethiopian studies. Such a peculiar source requires an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort to fully appreciate its value.” – Dr. Dzierzbicka and Dr. Elagina
