Public Documents from Sinnar

Document 20: Laissez-passer of `Adlan b. Subahi

DOCUMENT 20 Document 20 is a laissez-passer written for James Bruce in 1772 by the Shaykh of al-Ba~r, 'AdHi.n walad ~uba~i. The English translation provided by Bruce's biographer Alexander Murray is given here.1 The document is addressed to the senior leader of the Jamu'iya, Musnad (mentioned in the sanctio of Doc. 10); both Musnad's father, and his son and successor (Doc. 19), were named Ibrahim. At the time of Bruce's visit to Sinnar, the Regent Abu Likaylik himself was absent on campaign in Kordofan, while his son Ibrahim served as governor of the capital city, and his friend Shaykh 'Adlan, encamped with his entourage not far from Sinnar, provided a reserve force for emergencies.2 Bruce was well-advised to seek his recommendation. The reading of 'Adlan's seal given by Murray does not inspire complete confidence. He renders the text in Roman transliteration as follows: "el-watek-billah warrasoul almahi Asseik Adelan ben Asseik Subahi, 1776," that is, "The truster in God and the destroying prophet, Adelan, son of Shekh Subahi," or better, "He who trusts in God [and the prophet], the Effacer, Shaykh 'Adlan, the son of Shaykh ~uba~i, 1176." The expression "and the prophet" would seem to be an editorial interpolation, as the epithet Effacer properly appertains to God; perhaps it represents a misreading of al-mar~um, "the late [Shaykh ~uba~i]." Often, when a Sinnar seal employed one of the attributes of Alliih it also employed two, the first being aI-malik, "the King." Therefore, a conjectural improved reconstruction of the seal text might read: .rlH .:lll4 ':;:1}1 rY'".)1 .:r. v~~ ~I I IV'.r~ ~I 131 132 DOCUMENT 20 He who trusts in the King, the Effacer Shaykh 'AdUin, son of the late Shaykh ~ubal).i 1176il762-1763 One may note that the seal is dated to the year of the Hamaj coup which brought Shaykh 'AdHin to power. Before that, he had probably not been a person of great prominence; as a chronicler tactfully expressed the situation, "He became famous with Shaykh MUQammad [Abu Likaylik], but it could never be verified whether or not his family had previously been shaykhs--God knows."3 Shaykh 'Adlan's seal, Murray could not fail to notice, "is much larger than that of the king.,,4 Letter of Shekh Adelan, vizier to the king of Sennaar, recommending Mr Bruce to Shekh Musnad, father of Ibrahim above-mentioned. In the name of the most merciful God. Praise be to God alone, and Mahommed great is his glory. [On the seal is el- Watek-billah warrasoul almahi Asseik Adelan ben Asseikh Subahi, 1176]. After the salutation of peace from the most high God with his mercy, blessing, and favour. From the presence of him, who has hope in his virtues, and fortitude under his affliction, endowed with upright counsel and clear judgment, useful among the children of the sword, the liberal warrior, who is fortunate in this world, and, if it please God, shall be happy in the next, Al Watek Billah warrasoul almahi, the Shekh Adelan, son of the renowned Shekh Subahi, may God bless him, Amen. To the presence of Shekh Musnad, Sheikh Adelan salutes you with abundant peace, and will bestow on you more power and honours. What we have to inform you of in this is the corning to you of EI Hakim Yagoube, our friend and our companion (sahibna warafikna), and the friend of the king. The Sheriffe of Mecca sent letters with him to us long ago, DOCUMENT 20 133 in which he said to us, Supply him with necessaries, that, accommodated by you on our account, he may pass through all the dominions of the king of the Funge.--Fail not with respect to the traveller, who may be of benefit to thy life, for he is one of the men who are skilled in the cure of diseases; his travelling is for knowledge, and his ornament is his fortitude. Strengthen your heart towards him, and convey him along with his people to ruf; for he is a man that has not with him money, or a number of people; he has only books and medicines; and his camels loaden [sic] with his books and medicines, and his horse. He has with him nothing else. His camels also are weak: retain them, and forward him with others...