[Reporter] Ahmad Alawad M. Sikaingat (Assistant Prof. of History, Ohio State University)
[Subject] "Comrades in Arms or Captives in Bondage?: Sudanese Slaves in the Turco-Egyptian Army 1821-1865"

Although reports other than that of Mr. Sikaingat, who was invited by Unit 2 to give a lecture, were reported on in the above-mentioned workshop, here we will only discuss his report.

There have been several interesting research projects done on the subject of Jihadiya (ex-slave soldier). A study done by Richard Hill, for example, stressed the continuity and "elitism" of the Mamluk Jihadiya, while Mr. Sikaingat's report stressed the point that Jihadiya were subjugated and exploited as slaves. He also made an interesting observation that the British colonial authorities had inherited Muhammad Administration's policy supported by the notion of human rights, and developed them into a "racial policy" (based on the notion that a particular race matches particular work). The Administration built an army of black slaves brought down from the Southern Nuba mountains.

Mr. Sikangat's report intersected with the studies on African slavery and the studies on army formation in the contemporary Middle East, such as the formation of the Egyptian army by Muhammad Ali. Participants specializing in Middle East and Western Africa were particularly interested in this subject, and stimulating discussion ensued.