Comparison of C-Group and Nilotic/Nuba people
Introduction
With its north-flowing waters and south-blowing winds, the Nile River has
facilitated complex interactions between the people of its outlying regions
since pre-historic times.
In this project, we will present data evidencing an ancient Nubian, particularly C-Group, ancestry for modern
Nuba, Dinka, and other Nilotic people of South Sudan. It is our suggestion
that many C-Group people were not simply assimilated into Egyptian
society, but were able to migrate up the Nile in order to evade Egyptian
hostility and preserve their way of life.
The data extends far and wide. In this project, we will present both positive and
negative evidence within several categories of ethnography and
material culture to form a cohesive and scientifically sound case.
Ethnicity
Egyptians and Nubians, c. 1320 BCE. Tomb of Huy, Thebes. [0]
Egyptian models of Nubian archers, tomb of Prince Mesehti at Assiut [1]
Sabaha, a Modern Nubian woman [3]
The first and most apparent connection between ancient Nubian and Nilotic/Nuba people is with shared ethnicity.
In contrast with their ethnically Arabic neighbors to the north, both ancient Nubian and
modern Nilotic and Nuba people share distinctly African physical traits.
The evidence that the ancient Nubians bore African traits is
overwhelming. Ancient Nubians have always been depicted in ancient Egyptian material culture
with darker skin and more African-esque features than Egyptians. Even the Ancient Greeks refered to the Nubians as "Aithiopes,"
which translates to "Burnt-Faced Ones." [2]
Cattle Pastoralism
Cattle pastoralism is a unique way of life.
A pastoral society's culture is intrinsically defined by the animals
it keeps and maintains. Cattle are at the core of a cattle pastoralist's
social, economic, occupational, geographical, nutritional, and spiritual life.
Indeed, the features of this way of life are so distinct that
a view of one cattle pastoral civilization in action
mirrors the view of others in many substantive ways.
Ancient Evidence
Depiction of cattle herding. Incised on C-Group jar. Grave 94, cemetery 115, Qurta. [4]
C-Group material culture suggests cattle pastoralism as a way of life.
Such evidence is absent for contemporaries such as
the A-Group and Pan-Grave people. The C-Group were in this way highly unique.
The above C-Group image features a human figure and several cattle. The
majority of the cattle are lactating, highlighting dairy output. The
human figure, armed, watches over the herd
in a manner common within cattle pastoral society.
The presence of cattle
herding in C-Group art offers insight into how the C-Group viewed their
culture. In the absence of agricultural symbolism, this art provides
insight into C-Group modes of production as well. A small amount
of evidence of limited consumption of agricultural products
by the C-Group exists. These products appear to have been mainly imports
from Egypt's enormous agricultural powerhouse.[6] The C-Group may have grown
agricultural products on their own as well, but on a limited scale. Further in support
of meat as primary nutrition source are the many animal bones found at
most C-Group sites.[7] These include cattle bones, but most bones were
from sheep and goats.[8] This is in line with cattle pastoral societies, in
which slaughter and consumption of cattle is reserved to sacred events.
Cattle pastoralists primarily use cattle in the execution of complex
social institutions such as marriage (as bridewealth), in an individual's
expression of personality and success, for dairy produce, and for dung-fuel.
The C-Group built stationary settlements such as Seyala and Wadi
es-Sebua, as well as a majority of mobile settlements such as stratum I at
Aniba and Debeira.[9] This is in line with the distribution of settlement
types among modern pastoral societies, who produce numerous satellite population
centers whose inhabitants herd and migrate with cattle as they graze.
Power and control between Egyptian, C-Group, and nearby Kush forces
was in constant flux throughout ancient Egyptian and Nubian time.
Although social stratification and centralized power is evidenced,
the C-Group seem to have preferred their natural de-centralized
political structure which is representative of cattle pastoralism.
Centralized authority within the C-Group appears to have been related
to foreign politics.
The Sneferu portion of the Palermo stone [12]
Sneferu, first ruler of the Egyptian Fourth Dynasty, is recorded on the Palermo
stone as having been victorious in a military invasion of lower Nubia.
The stone records spoils of 7,000 people and 200,000 cattle from the campaign.[10]
This is in line with relative human-cattle populations in
cattle pastoral society. Sneferu's invasion in fact occurred in the time
of the initial appearance of the C-Group. It may be inferred that
foreign agression was the catalyst, if not the cause, of cohesion among
the people who would form the C-Group.
Egyptian forces did not control Nubia during the I/b and II/a C-Group
periods.[13] C-Group government is evidenced as having been de-centralized
during this time. It is not until the later II/b phase that evidence of
centralized authority over the C-Group begins. Material culture suggesting
less mobility also increased in the C-Group during this time.[11]
This trend coincided
with the Classic Kerma period. During the Classic Kerma period, Egypt was
in disarray; Kerma's power extended to all of Nubia, and reached the Egyptian
border. Centralized power, uncharacteristic of pastoralism, was likely
directly extended over the C-Group by Kerma, as they defended Nubia from
Egyptian oppression.
Modern Evidence
Modern Dinka man herding Ankole cattle. [5]
The Dinka of South Sudan embody the cattle pastoralist culture in every
way. The Dinka have their distinctive Ankole cattle in the spotlight in
every aspect of their culture. Like the C-Group, the dinka have agriculture,
and it is limited in scale.[15] The Dinka prefer and
maintain a de-centralized power structure. The Dinka reserve
slaughter of cattle for special occasions, and therefore keep goats and
sheep as well.[14] Like the C-Group, the Dinka do not present themselves
culturally in terms of any methods of subsistence besides those related to
cattle.
Perhaps the most striking similarity between C-Group and Dinka cattle
culture does not lie in the emphasis on cattle itself, but in the specific
breed of cattle: the Ankole.
The Ankole
Ankole cattle gave definition to ancient C-Group culture. They were paid as
tribute by Nubians to their Egyptian oppressors, and often taken outright.
They remain a powerful presence in Nilotic and Nuba culture today.
Nubians paying tribute with cattle, c. 1320 BCE. Tomb of Huy, Thebes. [17]
Egyptians herding cattle, c. 1400 BCE. Tomb of Nebamun, Thebes. [17]
In the above images from Thebes, made during the Egyptian New Kingdom, one
sees the distinction between Egyptian (shorter horned) and Nubian
(long-horned Ankole) cattle. This difference is seen in material culture
dating to pre-dynastic Egypt. This distinction was a part of Nubian identity
which endured throughout Egyptian conquest and Nubian resistance.
Man expressing joy in traditional Dinka fashion [16]
The Ankole cattle are an elaborating symbol symbol of power for the Dinka,
in a context spanning from personal to Dinka-wide triumph and unity.
Jumping, arms raised and arched to represent the horns of Ankole cattle, the
Dinka are unique in this creative expression of triumphant joy.
Deeper meaning is found in the context of cultural perseverance
after millennia of oppression by adversaries to the north.
Burial
Burial practices among C-Group people not only offer further evidence of
cattle culture, but also offer another unique link with modern Dinka culture.
Ancient Evidence
First we will begin with an analysis of C-Group burial practices.
"Chief Burial" - stone crypt (L) and mud brick shaft (R), cemetery N, Aniba
The above image
Modern Evidence
The Dinka have cd
Body Decoration
Ancient Evidence
moo
Modern Evidence
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Architecture
Ancient Evidence
moo
Modern Evidence
moo
Ceramics
Ancient Evidence
moo
Modern Evidence
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