Assembling a household in the Middle Nile Valley (Old Dongola, Sudan) in the 16th–17th centuries

Old Dongola, with a history reaching back to the 5th century AD, was originally capital of Makuria, one three medieval Nubian kingdoms. After collapse its city saw migratory movements and political changes that resulted in emergence new power relations. In 16th 17th centuries, seat local ruler subordinate Funj Sultanate. New communities emerged this setting inhabited until colonial era. This paper examines ways which Funj-period households, as fundamental social units were mutually constitutive houses, engaging their spatiality materiality through practices. The authors investigate domestic labour, an essential factor negotiation differences identities within household. Differences building techniques are analysed compare various dwellers engaged houses assess implications for differentiation city.