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Chapter 90: Waaqefanna, the Cushitic Monotheism
Kemet, or as it became known to outsiders, Egypt, was ruled by the descendants of Yaraklas throughout the twelfth century. Yaraklas of Kemet has made the country into a true African power, subduing the Blemmyes and conquering Nobatia, the northernmost of the Nubian realms. The arrangement with the Alexandrian city-state worked, and it became a splendid source of income, as the city was prospering in trade with the Mediterranean. Of course, the status quo could only be maintained with a power-balance between Rhomania and Kemet; any weakening of one or the other is likely to result in attempts to conquer the city itself.
Kemet now seeks to dominate the trade in the Red Sea Basin-parts of it are already under control, specifically the Beja coast. Kemet has however experienced a defeat when being repulsed during the wars of the Holy Sepulchre, resulting in them having to recover their strength and forces. Therefore, they restrict themselves in establishing a direct foothold in Gedda and accepting Hegaz (by now unified into one merchant-confederation) as a ˛tributary state. This allows them to take indirect control over Mecca and Yathrib, while Midian remains an independent tribal realm.
By now, Kemet has practically assimilated almost all Arabic speakers within Egypt proper however the Mishric dialect, which developed in the Eastern Delta is a very distinct one, due to the high number of Arabic influences and borrowings. In the south, linguistic border with Nobatia moves a little further upstream, presumably somewhere to the Second Cataract, to include also the town of Pharas, previously the capital of Nobatia.
The Nubian realms of Makuria and Alodia face a rather deep crisis. The Makurian realm feels threatened by the rise of Kemet, but also faces serious problems concerning desertification and drought. Alodia further upstream had to deal with invading peoples from the south, particularly the Shilluk. They were a Nilotic peoples, who established themselves in the region of the lower White Nile, lured by the development and wealth of Alodia.
As has been hinted in one of the previous updates, the Nubian realms, mainly Makuria, have been in contact with the Daju kingdom in what some of our readers know as the Darfur region. The Daju were semi-nomadic, with two major cities, Tajuwa and Samna. Similar to other emergent kingdoms in the region, the Daju as well adopted a form of government under divine kings, very similar to the Kemetic hierocratic administration. Unsurprisingly, given the cultural attraction and gravity of Kemet and Makuria, some of the nobles and merchants have accepted Christianity; however even such conversions were largely superficial[1].
View attachment 515331
These marshes were an effective end to all practical communication in Shilluk
The Shilluk, who have established their realm near Fashoda, were located at the fringe of the civilized world. Further south, there were the endless marshes of Sudd, which were an effective border of any further travel southwards, as they limited transport either on land or on boat. However, they were populated by a great number of tribes and peoples.
Further southwards, the Ethiopian Highland is home to half a dozen of emergent statelets. They are: Gojjam, Damot among the more civilized, Kaffa, Enneara, Welayta, Hadiya and Daroro being the more barbaric. All of these have emerged within the Ethiopian sphere of influence.
View attachment 515328
Ethiopian Highlands
As for Hadhramawt, throughout the century it remained under the control of the merchant-city of Salalah, now seeking to rival Mazoun, from which they have set themselves free. They have also taken control over the northern Cushitic coast regions, to secure their sources of frankincense, which was highly demanded in the Mediterranean Basin, as well as searching for supplies of water.
The island of Socotra continues to command only a small part its colonies on the tip of the Horn of Africa; further southwards, the city of Serapion, as well as the other colonies appear to have been conquered by the inland Cushitic clans. Indeed, the clans of the Ogaden have united into a tribal confederation and have conquered the city of Serapion, now renamed Šerafein, to accommodate with Somali phonology, which they made their new capital. The kingdom of Ogaden is a pagan tribal Cushitic kingdom commanding much of the Shabele river basin. Or is it pagan? The kingdom of Ogaden follows a religious system called Waaqefana, which is a monotheistic religion of native origin.
With their land dotted by merchant posts, it has been really a matter of time, as of when with the Cushitic-speaking peoples of the Horn of African unite to create their own native kingdom. Also the waves of drought have prompted the people from the more arid environments to move to the coastal regions, where they have overrun the small settlements and got to know the intricacies of civilization.
View attachment 515326
The Dabqaad as used in Waaqefanna religion, burning frankincense
The region has been in contact with more advanced forms of civilization for two centuries already, although this has happened only on the coast. Therefore, it appears to be quite plausible to assume that some strong chieftain will be able to unify the various clans in the region and become Supreme Lord of the Clans.
Thus we can witness the formation of a large Cushitic- speaking kingdom in Somalia, with its unique monotheistic religious system as well. This religion focuses heavily on the connection of the Sky God (called Waaq) with rain, and its followers often prayed for seasonal rains. Within the Waaqefana religious system, there are spirits (perhaps similar to angles in Abrahamic cosmology) called ayaana.
Further southwards, the city-states Zania along the tropical coast continue to expand southwards, and another trade league around the city of Sofala is formed.
View attachment 515322View attachment 515323View attachment 515324View attachment 515325
[1] Although common cultural background, as well as the adaption of Christianity to the early Nubian culture could have significantly eased the whole issue. Remember, that Nubian language is already a written liturgical tongue, plus the Nubian church had a cult of dead kings and local saints (which may point out to residual parts of ancient Egyptian mentality still present in Nubia).
Kemet now seeks to dominate the trade in the Red Sea Basin-parts of it are already under control, specifically the Beja coast. Kemet has however experienced a defeat when being repulsed during the wars of the Holy Sepulchre, resulting in them having to recover their strength and forces. Therefore, they restrict themselves in establishing a direct foothold in Gedda and accepting Hegaz (by now unified into one merchant-confederation) as a ˛tributary state. This allows them to take indirect control over Mecca and Yathrib, while Midian remains an independent tribal realm.
By now, Kemet has practically assimilated almost all Arabic speakers within Egypt proper however the Mishric dialect, which developed in the Eastern Delta is a very distinct one, due to the high number of Arabic influences and borrowings. In the south, linguistic border with Nobatia moves a little further upstream, presumably somewhere to the Second Cataract, to include also the town of Pharas, previously the capital of Nobatia.
The Nubian realms of Makuria and Alodia face a rather deep crisis. The Makurian realm feels threatened by the rise of Kemet, but also faces serious problems concerning desertification and drought. Alodia further upstream had to deal with invading peoples from the south, particularly the Shilluk. They were a Nilotic peoples, who established themselves in the region of the lower White Nile, lured by the development and wealth of Alodia.
As has been hinted in one of the previous updates, the Nubian realms, mainly Makuria, have been in contact with the Daju kingdom in what some of our readers know as the Darfur region. The Daju were semi-nomadic, with two major cities, Tajuwa and Samna. Similar to other emergent kingdoms in the region, the Daju as well adopted a form of government under divine kings, very similar to the Kemetic hierocratic administration. Unsurprisingly, given the cultural attraction and gravity of Kemet and Makuria, some of the nobles and merchants have accepted Christianity; however even such conversions were largely superficial[1].
View attachment 515331
These marshes were an effective end to all practical communication in Shilluk
The Shilluk, who have established their realm near Fashoda, were located at the fringe of the civilized world. Further south, there were the endless marshes of Sudd, which were an effective border of any further travel southwards, as they limited transport either on land or on boat. However, they were populated by a great number of tribes and peoples.
Further southwards, the Ethiopian Highland is home to half a dozen of emergent statelets. They are: Gojjam, Damot among the more civilized, Kaffa, Enneara, Welayta, Hadiya and Daroro being the more barbaric. All of these have emerged within the Ethiopian sphere of influence.
View attachment 515328
Ethiopian Highlands
As for Hadhramawt, throughout the century it remained under the control of the merchant-city of Salalah, now seeking to rival Mazoun, from which they have set themselves free. They have also taken control over the northern Cushitic coast regions, to secure their sources of frankincense, which was highly demanded in the Mediterranean Basin, as well as searching for supplies of water.
The island of Socotra continues to command only a small part its colonies on the tip of the Horn of Africa; further southwards, the city of Serapion, as well as the other colonies appear to have been conquered by the inland Cushitic clans. Indeed, the clans of the Ogaden have united into a tribal confederation and have conquered the city of Serapion, now renamed Šerafein, to accommodate with Somali phonology, which they made their new capital. The kingdom of Ogaden is a pagan tribal Cushitic kingdom commanding much of the Shabele river basin. Or is it pagan? The kingdom of Ogaden follows a religious system called Waaqefana, which is a monotheistic religion of native origin.
With their land dotted by merchant posts, it has been really a matter of time, as of when with the Cushitic-speaking peoples of the Horn of African unite to create their own native kingdom. Also the waves of drought have prompted the people from the more arid environments to move to the coastal regions, where they have overrun the small settlements and got to know the intricacies of civilization.
View attachment 515326
The Dabqaad as used in Waaqefanna religion, burning frankincense
The region has been in contact with more advanced forms of civilization for two centuries already, although this has happened only on the coast. Therefore, it appears to be quite plausible to assume that some strong chieftain will be able to unify the various clans in the region and become Supreme Lord of the Clans.
Thus we can witness the formation of a large Cushitic- speaking kingdom in Somalia, with its unique monotheistic religious system as well. This religion focuses heavily on the connection of the Sky God (called Waaq) with rain, and its followers often prayed for seasonal rains. Within the Waaqefana religious system, there are spirits (perhaps similar to angles in Abrahamic cosmology) called ayaana.
Further southwards, the city-states Zania along the tropical coast continue to expand southwards, and another trade league around the city of Sofala is formed.
View attachment 515322View attachment 515323View attachment 515324View attachment 515325
[1] Although common cultural background, as well as the adaption of Christianity to the early Nubian culture could have significantly eased the whole issue. Remember, that Nubian language is already a written liturgical tongue, plus the Nubian church had a cult of dead kings and local saints (which may point out to residual parts of ancient Egyptian mentality still present in Nubia).
- Tomislav Addai
- Word Count: 1k