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Tinto Maps #15 - 23rd of August 2024 - Horn of Africa

Hello, and welcome one more week to Tinto Maps! After a short break, we’re back to the duty of sharing more maps! Today the region we will look at is the Horn of Africa! So let’s take a look at it, without further ado:

Countries:
Countries.PNG

Here we have the countries around Nubia, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The first ones are organized around the ancient kingdoms of Makuria and Alodia, which control the Upper Nile region. In the second area, the Empire of Ethiopia stands as the main power, with some smaller countries around it. Finally, the two Islamic sultanates of Ifat and Ajuraan stand as the main powers in the Horn and Somalia. Finally, around the African Great Lakes, there is a country that can be considered a ‘settled’ one, Kitara.

Dynasties:
Dynasties.PNG

The dynasties of the Horn. There are some historical ones, while others are randomly generated. The most famous one is probably the Ethiopian House of Solomon, from where all their Negus come. The Walshma ruler over both Ifat and Ajuraan and we have some others, such as the Medri of Medri Bahri, the Umar of Mogadishu, the Banu Kanz of Makuria, or the Baranzi of Kitara.

Societies of Pops:
Pop-Based.PNG

A new map has popped up! Here you can see the countries that we consider as ‘Societies of Pops’, as they were presented in the last Tinto Talks. We have the famous Oromo people in the lands between Ethiopia, Ifat and Ajuraan; the Kunama, Gumuz, and Berta in the lands between Ethiopia; and Alodia, and the Zaghwa to the north of Wadai; there are a few more to the west, but I’ll share that picture in the Western Africa thread, as it’s more appropriate there. There are more Stateless Societies of this kind that we would like to add in the future, if it is possible due to our schedule.

Locations:
Locations.PNG

Locations 2.png

Locations 3.png

Locations 4.png

Locations 5.png
Locations! You might notice that the density is quite unequal. Unfortunately, the archaeological findings for the period are scarce, specially out of the most known areas and a lack of urbanization in most of the territory has made the finding of proper non-anachronistic settlements quite a challenge. Keep this in mind when making suggestions. ;) It has been that dramatic in some areas that we had to use names of tribes and rivers, a bit contradicting our own rules, but the areas had to be represented as they were active parts in the development of the region.
One thing: a big chunk of the Arabian peninsula can be seen in today’s Tinto Maps; but, please, reserve the feedback for its future DD, when we’ll show all of the peninsula. Apart from that, you can see more detailed maps if you click on the spoiler button, as usual.


Provinces:
Provinces.png


Areas:
Areas.png


Terrain:
Climate.png

Vegetation.png

Topography.png

The terrain types of the region are quite interesting and diverse. It is marked by the Rift Valley, which creates different biomes, such as the Ethiopian Highlands and Plateau, or the African Great Lakes. That also marks a divide between Arid, Tropical, and Oceanic climates. The vegetation of the region also ranges from desertic and sparse, to jungle forests. And one more note: you may also note that 'Marshes' have been renamed into 'Wetlands', as we could put some work into that suggestion the last week.

Natural Harbors:
Natural Harbors.png


Cultures:
Cultures.png

Another interesting map this week… You might notice that the lands of Ethiopia have a very mixed cultural situation. While more to the west and south, we are representing ‘tribal lands’ in a more homogeneous way, with kind of fixed boundaries to represent the different groupings. This doesn’t mean that there wouldn’t be a mixing of cultures, but this was one of the first areas to receive a minority's review and the scope was limited mostly to Ethiopia.

Religion:
Religion.png

Another interesting map! Miaphysite and Sunni are the more widespread religions in the region (while not all areas have their mixed populations, such as Nubia as you might notice, they eventually will as we cover more of the map in our sprints). Animism is completely placeholder, as usual, and you might see some pockets here and there (If you have specific suggestions, please do them). You may also notice a purple minority inside Ethiopia… That is representing the Beta Israel Judaism in the provinces of Semien, of course!

Raw Materials:
Raw Materials.png

The raw materials of this week! A big chunk of the region has livestock as its main raw material, while also having some agricultural goods as Wheat or Sturdy Grains here and there. The most unique good in the region is Coffee, which is cultivated in the Ethiopian highlands. And there are also some precious resources spread here and there, such as Gold, Ivory, Gems, and Incense.

Markets:
Markets.png

The main market centers of the region are Axum and Mogadishu, with ‘Adan/Aden being the main one controlling the access to the Red Sea. There are some weird calculations ongoing on the Somalian inner lands, that are already reported, and we’ll take a look at why is that happening.

Population:
Population.png

Population 2.png

Population 3.png

Population 4.png

Population 5.png
The population of the region! There are approximately 12.3M people in the Eastern African subcontinent; although take into account that it also comprises the regions of the Southern Great Lakes and the Swahili Coast, which we haven’t shown today, so we probably have to discount around 4M people from it (Swahili Coast accounts for 1.7M, and the Great Lakes for 4M, although that region is divided between today’s and next week’s Tinto Maps), for a total of around 8M.

That’s all for today! Speaking of next week’s Tinto Maps, it will be meaty, as it will cover Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa! See you!
 
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I found new information about the cities of the Shanabila tribe
According to the Arabic Wikipedia page, the tribe's original capital was the city of Arbaji, and after the destruction of the city of Arbaji, the tribe established a new capital, Al-Musallamiya, in 1660.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-02 232212.png


Musa-q.png
 
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I found new information about the cities of the Shanabila tribe
According to the Arabic Wikipedia page, the tribe's original capital was the city of Arbaji, and after the destruction of the city of Arbaji, the tribe established a new capital, Al-Musallamiya, in 1660.
View attachment 1250371

View attachment 1250368
Fazughli kingdom is a remnant of Alodia, Alodia and Fazughli existing at the same time doesn't make sense. Your map is accurate for the 1450-1500 period, not 1337.
 
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Fazughli kingdom is a remnant of Alodia, Alodia and Fazughli existing at the same time doesn't make sense. Your map is accurate for the 1450-1500 period, not 1337.
Alodia as a kingdom could have fallen as early as 1286-1300
According to Ibn Abd al-Zahir's account, there are several countries in the region. I can only locate the six countries he mentioned.
gghhg.png

Alodia/Anj
Al-Abwab
Al-Taka
Barah/Bara
bara.png

Karsa/Kersa
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-03 185442.png

Kadro
language.png
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-03 205350.png

Countries that I am unable to localize.

,Danfu,Ari, Bafal


Alodia-ANJ.png
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-03 174352.png


Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-03 174109.png

 
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The provinces

The main purpose of this post is to suggest new, more historically accurate location names and borders. As a reminder, these are the current locations:

View attachment 1183200


This is my suggestion:

View attachment 1183263
I just thought about how ten locations might be too few for Makuria. The current number is 14, after all. Maybe it would make sense to include four or even five more?
 
Can anyone comment on this paragraph from the Wikipedia page on "Melkite":
In Byzantine Palestine, the pro-Chalcedonian (Melkite) party prevailed, as well as in some other regions, like the Nubian kingdom of Makuria (in modern Sudan), that was also Chalcedonian, in contrast to their non-Chalcedonian Ethiopian Tewahedo neighbours, from c. 575 until c. 710 and still had a large Melkite minority until the 15th century.
Seems to suggest there should be a large Eastern Orthodox minority in Makuria, but no source is specified, maybe casting doubt on that claim.
 
Wikipedia's article on Makuria casts doubt on the extent that such a minority should be large.
That's much more reasonable (a small Orthodox minority persisting until the end of the kingdom) although no source is provided, yet again. In any case, maybe the dev team can follow up the claim as they add religious minorities to the area.
 
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Proposal for reworking the Ethnic Map of Sudan
I think that Arabs living with the Beja tribes should have their own culture. This culture can be called Gabail Ukhra.
hamran.png

Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-10 175328.png

I would divide the Nubian culture into three separate cultures: Nobiin in the north, Andaandi in the center, and Alwan in the south.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-10 180140.png


Arab tribes in Butana and Gezira(Sennar) may go by the name Qawasma
And the Arab tribes in Kordofan may appear under the name Fazara

The Hamaj/Anj culture represents both the Gumuz People and the Berta People as they considered themselves as one nation.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-09 193608.png

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The Funj culture should occur from Jebel Gule to Jebel Moya.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-10 183445.png

qerrri-Soba.png

Funj -Sennar.png

Gaam culture - Tabi Hiils

butana gezira.png
 
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Final proposal for the division of the lands of the Alwa kingdom

Al-Abwab - Christian country
Taka - Muslim Country
Teawa/Tawawi/Bawadra- Muslim Country
Alodia - Christian country
Bara/Kordofan - Muslim Country
Kadro - Pagan country
Funj - Pagan country
Qawasma(Abdallab)- Muslim Country

Shanabila/Kersa - Muslim Country
Dubainya - Muslim Country
Hamda - Muslim Country/ Christian country 1337 ?
Roseires/Khashm al-Bahr- Pagan country/ Christian country 1337 ?

Fazughli/ - Pagan country/ Christian country 1337 ?

nubt.png


Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-15 201837.png

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Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-15 205306.png

Alwa.png

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Jebel Kadaru/Kadro
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Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-09 195442.png

medieval sudan.jpg

Qerri.png

Lepsius-Projekt_tw_1-1-01.jpg
 
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It also seems that the Beja tribes in the north should be more Muslim and those in the south should be religiously mixed.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-15 215248.png

 
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Al-Abwab - Christian country
Some really great stuff here, good work.

I'm wondering if there is a different name for al-Abwab anywhere? It seems both too Arabic to be used by the Nubian inhabitants, and also very closely related to Alodia (Alodia > Alobia > Alabwa > al-Abwab, as a hypothetical?). This leads me to think that there might be some confusion of the two states names. Especially since al-Abwab broke off from Alodia, perhaps being a "northern Alodia"? An alternative name, maybe the name of the capital city if it's mentioned anywhere, would be great.
 
Some really great stuff here, good work.

I'm wondering if there is a different name for al-Abwab anywhere? It seems both too Arabic to be used by the Nubian inhabitants, and also very closely related to Alodia (Alodia > Alobia > Alabwa > al-Abwab, as a hypothetical?). This leads me to think that there might be some confusion of the two states names. Especially since al-Abwab broke off from Alodia, perhaps being a "northern Alodia"? An alternative name, maybe the name of the capital city if it's mentioned anywhere, would be great.
The late Sudanese historian Ahmed el-Mutasim el-Sheikh proposed that the Nubian name of el-Abwab was "Takaki", perhaps originating from the Dongolawi Nubian root word "karki" ("narrow pass"). "Takaki" appears in the Tabaqat wad-Dayfallah and several European accounts from the early 18th to early 19th centuries, which usually either place it (sometimes appearing as a geographic region, sometimes as a people) just north of the Nile-Atbara confluence or at the Lower Atbara. For example this map by Guillaume Delisle from 1707:

Royaume_de_Sennar_(Guillaume_Delisle).jpeg


Still it should be noted that so far we still don't have a single medieval Nubian source attesting the existence of this kingdom.
 
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The late Sudanese historian Ahmed el-Mutasim el-Sheikh proposed that the Nubian name of el-Abwab was "Takaki", perhaps originating from the Dongolawi Nubian root word "karki" ("narrow pass"). "Takaki" appears in the Tabaqat wad-Dayfallah and several European accounts from the early 18th to early 19th centuries, which usually either place it (sometimes appearing as a geographic region, sometimes as a people) just north of the Nile-Atbara confluence or at the Lower Atbara. For example this map by Guillaume Delisle from 1707:

View attachment 1254849

Still it should be noted that so far we still don't have a single medieval Nubian source attesting the existence of this kingdom.
Nice, I'd definitely prefer that name if the devs decide to add the country. Thanks for the message.
 
The late Sudanese historian Ahmed el-Mutasim el-Sheikh proposed that the Nubian name of el-Abwab was "Takaki", perhaps originating from the Dongolawi Nubian root word "karki" ("narrow pass"). "Takaki" appears in the Tabaqat wad-Dayfallah and several European accounts from the early 18th to early 19th centuries, which usually either place it (sometimes appearing as a geographic region, sometimes as a people) just north of the Nile-Atbara confluence or at the Lower Atbara. For example this map by Guillaume Delisle from 1707:

View attachment 1254849

Still it should be noted that so far we still don't have a single medieval Nubian source attesting the existence of this kingdom.
Takaki is the name of the kingdom of Rubatab
I once had a map of Sudan where Takaki is the old name of the City of Abu Hamad, unfortunately I cannot find this map, I will try to find it.

Takakii (1).png

Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-16 085707.png


Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-16 100600.png

 
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Final proposal for the division of the lands of the Alwa kingdom

Al-Abwab - Christian country
Taka - Muslim Country
Teawa/Tawawi/Bawadra- Muslim Country
Alodia - Christian country
Bara/Kordofan - Muslim Country
Kadro - Pagan country
Funj - Pagan country
Qawasma(Abdallab)- Muslim Country

Shanabila/Kersa - Muslim Country
Hamda - Muslim Country/ Christian country 1337 ?
Roseires/Khashm al-Bahr- Pagan country/ Christian country 1337 ?

Fazughli/ - Pagan country/ Christian country 1337 ?

View attachment 1254773
Where are you getting info on Fazughli in 1337, it seems like you again trying to cram 1300-1550 into 1337.
 
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Where are you getting info on Fazughli in 1337, it seems like you again trying to cram 1300-1550 into 1337.
Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-16 123605.png

Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-16 124133.png


gh.png

hh- faz.png
 
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Where are you getting info on Fazughli in 1337, it seems like you again trying to cram 1300-1550 into 1337.
All that we know is that in the late 13th century the Muslim geographer az-Zahi mentioned several polities in central Sudan, some evidently once part of an obviously now defunct Alwa. One was Kersa, most likely located somewhere in the Upper Blue Nile, perhaps around Sennar. In addition to that we have 19th-century traditions claiming that when Alwa collapsed, some of its people migrated towards Roseiris and Fazughli. When precisely these migrations occurred and how reliable these much later stories are in the first place is of course open to debate. A kingdom of Fazughli existed by the early 17th century, that seems certain.
 
Proposal for reworking the Ethnic Map of Sudan
I think that Arabs living with the Beja tribes should have their own culture. This culture can be called Gabail Ukhra.
View attachment 1252862
View attachment 1252861
I would divide the Nubian culture into three separate cultures: Nobiin in the north, Andaandi in the center, and Alwan in the south.
View attachment 1252864

Arab tribes in Butana and Gezira(Sennar) may go by the name Qawasma
And the Arab tribes in Kordofan may appear under the name Fazara

The Hamaj/Anj culture represents both the Gumuz People and the Berta People as they considered themselves as one nation.
The Funj culture should occur from Jebel Gule to Jebel Moya.
View attachment 1252904
View attachment 1252912
View attachment 1252898
Gaam culture - Tabi Hiils

View attachment 1252855
This is good work overall, I think it will improve the culture map. However, I don't think Arab cultures should be split up by individual tribe, and certainly not only in some parts of the Arab world, it'd have to be all or nothing. And if it were split up as you suggest, Gabail Ukhra (meaning "other tribes") is a bad name in my opinion. Qawasma sounds like a plural which should be avoided, not sure what the singular would be (Qasimi?)

I'd support a Nubian split, though personally I'd just call what you have as Andaandi, Dongolawi.

There might be an argument for merging Berta and Gumuz cultures based on early game gameplay, but by linguistics it's hard to justify. Their languages appear to be quite distinct, and there's little consensus on their external relations or if they're even related to one another. I think they'd work better as a culture group, maybe also including Kunama.
 
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This is good work overall, I think it will improve the culture map. However, I don't think Arab cultures should be split up by individual tribe, and certainly not only in some parts of the Arab world, it'd have to be all or nothing. And if it were split up as you suggest, Gabail Ukhra (meaning "other tribes") is a bad name in my opinion. Qawasma sounds like a plural which should be avoided, not sure what the singular would be (Qasimi?)

I'd support a Nubian split, though personally I'd just call what you have as Andaandi, Dongolawi.

There might be an argument for merging Berta and Gumuz cultures based on early game gameplay, but by linguistics it's hard to justify. Their languages appear to be quite distinct, and there's little consensus on their external relations or if they're even related to one another. I think they'd work better as a culture group, maybe also including

New ethnic map
The area of occurrence of the Nubian culture in Kordofan and Darfur has been expanded.
Hamaj,,Funj are now represented by the Berta culture.
Hamag represented by the Gumuz culture.


Nuba.png

Roseires-1.png

Zrzut ekranu 2025-02-09 195442.png
 
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