Editorial Board Media Department Advisors Scientific Committee for Documenting History Professor: Aoun Sharif Qasim Professor: Hassan Makki Professor: Ahmed Abdel Aal Dr. Jaafar Mirghani Dr. Ali Saleh Karrar Dr. Tarek Ahmed Osman Mr. Hassan Hussein

Publication No. (1)

Issued by: Merowe Dam Project Authority Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources - Republic of Sudan

Evaluation Dear Reader:

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds. The Merowe Dam Project was launched by the Merowe Dam Project Authority with noble objectives. It is the beginning of a great endeavor that this authority seeks to achieve. This effort may contribute to two fundamental matters: The first matter: Introducing the region and reconciling it. The second: Participating in building the knowledge system of the Sudanese people by preserving the oral heritage of the people of this region. The University of Khartoum, represented by the Sudan Research Section and the Institute of African and Asian Studies, has provided the dam with the means to achieve part of these meanings. Perhaps it was one of the fortunes and life experiences that our witness took on the task. This may lead us, God willing, at a later time, with the participation of others, to search for a way to evaluate all these efforts in Sudanese heritage in light of what has recently emerged. It is worth mentioning here that the attention stirred by the Merowe Dam Project Authority to care for the history and heritage of the mentioned region is commendable, a brilliant initiative, and an unprecedented action, drawing attention to the importance of state participation in sponsoring scientific works and promoting influential ones for publication. The book represents a strenuous and appreciated effort in which Dr. Tarek Ahmed Osman, Assistant Professor of History at the Institute of African Research and Studies, International University of Africa, sought to highlight the priorities of research work to the best of his ability. It is also of good quality.