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THE Beja tribesmen from the Red Sea region of north east Sudan flocked to the cause of al-Mahdi, “The Expected one.” This nationalistic movement was founded in 1880, to unite the Sudan tribes under the banners of Islam and to overthrow foreign domination.

The Beja were clad in traditional waist cloths, or cotton shoulder scarf and trousers, with beads and amulets around their necks. Their courage earned the admiration of the British soldier and their hairstyle earned the nickname “Fuzzy-wuzzies.” Weapons included the large bladed spear, large double-edged sword, and shield of rhinoceros, crocodile or elephant hide.