Omdurman Gallery

Sudanese kettle drum, 1898

Sudanese kettle drum, 1898 (c). Reputedly taken form Dervish forces at the Battle of Omdurman, 2nd Sudan War (1896-1899) 1898. The object is referred to as a Nihas/Nahas, an object of great importance in Sudanese culture, the ownership of a Nihas is a mark of respect and social standing. Heavy beaten copper shell. Four pairs of bronze suspension rings around rim and below are 38 copper pegs to secure head. Tanned and shaved leather head, possibly cowskin, smooth on top with traces of hair remaining on sides, perforated around side to fit over pegs round the shell. Twisted leather cord passes through eight holes in the edge of the head to form four 'V' shaped tensioning cords joining at a ring underneath the shell. Date: 1898 (circa)

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

Mahdist War - Sudan Campaign - Khartoum

Mahdist War - Sudan Campaign - Khartoum - Scrub, river with boats, small buildings opposite. Part of Box 244 Boswell Collection - Sudan War. 'Khartoum is the capital and second largest city of Sudan and Khartoum state. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile, flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile, flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as the 'al-Mogran', meaning the Confluence. The main Nile continues to flow north towards Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. Divided by the Niles, Khartoum is a tripartite metropolis with an estimated overall population of over five million people, consisting of Khartoum proper, and linked by bridges to Khartoum North and Omdurman to the west.' Date: 1881 - 1889

© The Boswell Collection, Bexley Heritage Trust / Mary Evans

'The Conquest of the Soudan, 1896-98:...the Battle of Omdurman, September 2, 1898', (1901)

'The Conquest of the Soudan, 1896-98: The Charge of the 21st Lancers at the Battle of Omdurman, September 2, 1898', (1901). British soldier Major-General Kitchener regained the Sudan for Egypt by his victory at Omdurman near Khartoum. The 21st Lancers, a light cavalry regiment, attacked what they thought were only a few hundred dervishes (Mahdist fighters), but there were 2000 infantry hidden behind them in a dry watercourse. 70 men were killed or wounded, with the loss of 119 horses, the highest casualty figures of any British regiment at the battle. Three Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the 21st who had helped rescue wounded comrades. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Life and Accession of King Edward VII. and the Life of Queen Alexandra". [London, 1901]

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images