Sudan River Arabs-TMWWBK

 

TMWWBK gives us a suggested list for a Sudanese River Arab Force. As suggestions go it is a good one and it is where I began.  It is not where I ended up as you will see. I can in fact field a fair few variants of a a River Arab array. The reason being I found three units I had already painted and put away safely. Very safely, I'd forgotten them.

Here are the Baggara Cavalry.  They were a nomadic tribe with the usual attributes. Tough, fierce, predatory and self interested.  The Mahdi won them over, no easy task, and they fought hard for him.

The first unit here is from Essex. It is one of the foundlings. They are rated Tribal cavalry and could be upgraded as suits.

This one is from Peter Pig. I have another 3/4 done.

Now the Jihaddya Rifles who we have discussed before. I have three units, two from Peter Pig and one from Essex. They are rated as Irregular Infantry.  Contra the list, mine won't be poor shots. Essex above.

Peter Pig next.

Some camelry. They could be a half unit of mounted Irregular Infantry or serve in the cavalry. Figures from Essex. Nice enough I think.

Now for the hard hitters, Ansar Warriors.  Rated as Tribal Warriors and crying out for the Fierce and/or Veteran upgrades. Read the literature. I have three units. An Essex and Peter Pig mix first.

Decades ago I read that Ansar means Pure, it does not. Ansar means Helpers or Supporters.

Nice figures and look, the correct River Arab shield. I dislike the cast on flag. I have another such unit that looks pretty much the same.

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Above, something seldom seen. This unit mixes Essex and Lancashire Games Archive figures. I'm greatly taken by the latter. 

When the Mahdi started out he maintained that fighting was to be done with sword and spear as in the days of the Prophet. All the same he carefully collected rifles and ammo captured from stricken foes. When his policy changed selected men of aptitude were given firearms. They seem to have the most impact in sieges where they certainly shot straight.

The Beja next on this project. I note people are now spelling it Biga.  How ever you spell it, it is apparently pronounced Beejah. Every day is a school day.