Butana
The Butana (Arabic: البطانة, Buṭāna), historically called the Island of Meroë, is the region between the
Gezira, the region west of the Blue Nile and east of the White Nile
.
Geological characteristics of the Butana are sandy and stony soils, light non-cracking clay, and dark cracking clay; the superficial clays cover over 70% of the plain.[1] Although there are very limited water resources, seasonal surface water wells and a few deep bore wells are present. A tropical continental climate provides rain in the southern section of the plain. Two vegetation zones feature a semi-desert Acacia shrub, short grasslands, and a low woodland savannah.[2]
The region includes most of the state of
Funj Sultanate of Sinnar
.
Butana was known as the "Island of Meroë".
Today it is mainly inhabited by the
Rashaida, the Ansar, the Awazim, and other Arabian tribes. However, the Butana has been identified as mainly the domain of the powerful Shukria clan
and their ruling family of "Abusin." The Shukria have, through power of arms, become overlords of the Butana since the 17th century. In local poetry, the Butana is numerously referred to as "the Butana of Abusin" in reference to the Shukria tribal chief Ahmad Bey ibn 'Awad el Kerim of whom Sir Samuel Baker has left so vivid a portrait. It is also sometimes referred to as "the Butana of Abu Ali" in reference to a distant ancestor of Ahmed Bey Abusin credited for ensuring the triumph of the victorious Shukira in the 17th century.
The hafir is an important source of water.
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-415-35913-9. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ Darosa, A. E. M.; H. Agab. "A field survey of some camel (Camelus dromedarius) production traits and constraints in Butana area, Sudan". Sudan University of Science and Technology. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ "Sudanimals.com". Archived from the original on 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "The Island of Meroe", UNESCO World Heritage
- ^ ""The Meroitic State: Nubia as a Hellenistic African State. 300 B.C.-350 AD", Nubia Museum, Aswan, Egypt". Archived from the original on 2004-02-05. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
External links
- Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe UNESCO collection on Google Arts and Culture