R.S. O'Fahey, (1970) States and State Formation in the Eastern Sudan
R.S. O'Fahey, States and State Formation in the Eastern Sudan (Khartoum: Sudan Research Unit, 1970). In discussing state formation in the eastern Sudanic region, O'Fahey focuses upon the kingdoms of Wadāy and Dār Fūr, the border states between them, and Sinnār (2). O'Fahey singles out environmental, commercial, and political aspects as being of key importance (3). Though the states of the eastern Sudan were multi-tribal, the dynasties ruling them tended to originate in the central sedentary zone. This leads to the suggestion that such societies may have tribal origins (3–5). O'Fahey postulates that the origin of the 'Wise-Stranger' myth, which characterizes these states, may be a remembrance of the arrival of long-distance trade in the regions discussed. It is also suggested that trade acted as a stimulant to state formation, as imported arms increased the power of the sultans, and trade spurred encroachments into the northern (for camels) and southern (for s...