I COULD NOT HAVE WRITTEN this book without the help of many friends amongst the ruling house of the Kababish. I should like to thank the late nazir, Hassan Wad at Tom, whose tolerance and understanding enabled me to gain my first foothold amongst his people. I am also indebted to the present nazir, At Tom Wad Hassan, and to his brothers Salim, Mohammid, Ali, and Fadlallah. I owe a special thanks to my friends Salim Wad Musa and Ibrahim Wad Hassan Wad Khalifa. These two will always remain for me the epitome of the noble Arab.
I should like to thank the following members of the nazir’s people for their hospitality and generosity: Sheikh Musa Wad Ali, Sheikh Ali Wad Salim, Sheikh Jami’ Wad Ali, Mohammid Reyd Wad Fadlallah, Ali Shiekh Wad Mohammid, At Tom Wad Mohammid, Mohammid at Tom Wad Mohammid, Mohammid Dudayn, Ibrahim Wad Hassan Wad al Faki, Ali at Tom Wad Mohammid, Salim Wad Ali, Marghani ‘AI Faki’, Hamid Wad Digerr, Abdallah Abu Kajama.
I could not have made initial contact with the Nas Wad Haydar without the help of Mansour Abu Safita and Mohyal Din Abu Safita in El Fasher. I am deeply grateful for the trouble they took on my behalf.
I should also like to express my gratitude to those British teachers who gave me hospitality during my years in the Sudan, especially Indra Roy, Rob Hydon, Peter Midgeley, Jane Ellis, Joanna Christina, Mike Farrell, Julian Mountfield, and Charles Mitchell.
I am grateful to Indra Roy and Eric Lawrie for warm friendship and valued counsel, and to John Garvey, who was always willing to provide me with a base in London when I was in transit.
I cannot repay my debt to my parents, who dealt so patiently with my correspondence while I was writing this book in the Sudan. Neither can I fully express appreciation for the patience and understanding of Maria Antonietta Peru, who besides drawing the maps with meticulous attention, has been my sole critic and untiring advisor.
Finally, I have listed my travelling companions separately. I shall never forget the million acts of friendship, great and small, which they performed. We were men from different worlds, yet there is a bond between us that time cannot erase.