ABSTRACT
The population of the Sudan at the time of the reconquest was largely a tribal one. Despite the dislocation of tribes during the Mahdia and the weakening of their economic and social structure, the tribes continued to perform a major function in society. The government clearly failed to establish the authority of tribal leaders which was one of its declared aims. The disruption of tribal cohesion and the loss of leadership during the Mahdia made the achievement of this aim extremely difficult. The general impression obtained from reading the provincial reports, as well as the private correspondence and diaries of British officials, is one of confusion. The government constantly claimed to be interested in furthering the independence of tribal leaders, whereas the inspectors and governors undertook an ever increasing share of their responsibilities. Armed expeditions were a permanent feature of tribal administration throughout Wingate’s governor-generalship. They were aimed primarily at subduing turbulent tribes and protecting their taxpaying neighbours.
