Old Dongola

Old Dongola (Old Nubian: Tungul; Arabic: Dunqulah al-ʿAjūz‎) is a deserted town in Sudan located on the east bank of the Nile opposite the Wadi Al-Malik. An important city in medieval Nubia, and the departure point for caravans west to Darfur and Kordofan, from the fourth to the fourteenth century Old Dongola was the capital of the Makurian state. The urban center of the population moved downstream 50 miles (80 km) to the opposite side of the Nile during the nineteenth century, becoming the modern Dongola.

A Polish archaeological team has been excavating the town since 1964.

History

Old Dongola was founded in the fifth century as a fortress, but town soon evolved around it. Later with the arrival of Christianity it became the capital of Makuria, and several churches were built. These include, to use the names contemporary archeologists have given them, Building X and the Church with the Stone Pavement. These two structures were erected about 100 meters apart from the walled town centre, indicating that at this time the town already extended over the original walls of the fortress. Building X was soon replaced by the Old Church.

Dongola

Dongola (Arabic: دنقلا‎ Dunqulā), also spelled Dunqulah, and formerly known as Al 'Urdi, is the capital of the state of Northern in Sudan, on the banks of the Nile, and a former Latin Catholic bishopric (14th century). It should not be confused with Old Dongola, an ancient city located 80 km upstream on the opposite bank.

The town is home to the University of Dongola, a public university.

History

Dongola was also a province of Upper Nubia on both sides of the Nile and a centre for Nubian civilization as manifested by its many archaeological remains from the Makurian and Islamic periods. The remains of the revered Baqt Treaty are to be found in Dongola. The province of Dongola was part of the Makuria kingdom, which later became part of Egypt after Muhammad Ali Pasha ordered for the invasion and occupation of Sudan in 1820 after which it was designated as a seat of a pasha. Its first governor was Abidin Bey.

Dongola was the scene of a victory by General Herbert Kitchener over the indigenous Mahdist Muslim tribes in 1896. Dongola Road in the Bishopston area of Bristol was named after this event. So was Dongola Road in Tottenham, North London which runs next to Kitchener Road.

Dongola horse

The Dongola or Dongolawi is a riding horse native to Cameroon and to western Eritrea and Sudan. Although its name suggests, it does not originate from the Dongola region. It is strongly linked to the Barb horse and also bears resemblances to the Arab horse and is estimated to be partly descended from the Iberian horse during the 13th century. Many sub-breeds and crossbreeds are recognized across western Africa, many of them are small, resembling the Poney Mousseye.

Characteristics

The breed has a convex profile, with a usually deep, reddish bay coating, though sometimes chestnut or black with common white markings on the face and lower leg.

History

In 1772 the King of Sennar (in Sudan) obtained horses of the Dongola breed described as being very fine in quality, as strong as coach horses but light and free in their actions. During the Italian-Abyssinian War, the entire Abyssinian (Ethiopia) cavalry was equipped with the Dongol horses, which were excellent riding horses. Therefore these horses were imported to Ireland, where they were used to create a lighter version of the Hunter horse. The Germans also conducted similar experiments as well.

Dongola (disambiguation)

Dongola is a city in Sudan.

Dongola may also refer to:

Places

Other

See also