I’m not quite sure how to begin. We often called each other “Ya shaab” in Sudanese, highlighting our youthful days and physical vigor. I’d call you “Ya sheikh,” and you’d greet me “Hello, mushroom.”
I don’t know how to start a letter to the afterlife.
Asking questions about the meaning of events that no one in human history has ever explained? But why.
I can only write about who you were to me and to so many others at the PCMA and beyond. Though I doubt I have enough time in life to fully describe it all.
First and foremost, you were an outstanding scholar and teacher. Initially, with Patrice Lenoble, your mentor whom you always fondly remembered, you introduced a new perspective on the Early Makurian period, one of the transformative eras for statehood in Sudan. Later, through your independent excavations of elite cemeteries at Jebel Ghaddar, Hammur, and finally your beloved Zuma and Tanqasi, you provided new evidence of the evolutionary nature of changes between Meroe and Makuria. You also conceived the title and the idea of the project “MtoM – Meroe to Makuria.” We spent countless hours debating whether there had not been there any migrations and population changes. But for now, we must put those discussions on hold. In recent years, you were a leading figure in global Nubian studies on the early Nubian kingdoms, and you will undoubtedly remain so for many years to come.
You left behind a significant number of students and researchers in both Poland and Sudan. Thanks to your understanding, kindness, and care, they will continue your work on creating the most comprehensive picture of Nubian and Sudanese history and towards understanding it.
For Nubian Studies in Poland, you are the Founding Father and cornerstone. Except for Michałowski and, perhaps, Stefan (though I think he might disagree), no Polish researcher associated with the Middle Nile Valley can say they owe nothing to you. Demands of the modern world and our own ambitions push us to boast about our achievements to have a better chance of securing grants and garnering interest in archaeology from the broader public. But it is your work, unnoticed on the front pages of portals or in polls, that underpins our successes. Certainly mine. You convinced me, to brave all difficulties and return to archaeology full-time, leaving behind a safe position in public administration. You took me to Zuma in 2004, upon which I spent over half a year in Sudan, and since then, it has been my second home. You showed me the true soul of Sudan and the beauty of its people, which were not accessible to members of expeditions organized like mercenary camps. You helped me convince Sudan that I might be worthy of investment by allowing me to work independently, and at what a site! Only thanks to the opportunities you created for me did I get where I am today. I will never forget this, nor will other Nubian scholars in Poland.
All this is just a fraction of the immense kindness you selflessly shared with all of us. You wanted nothing in return, perhaps occasionally a favor that would help another person. For me, you are the best, most valuable, most human person I have ever met. You embody humanity in the full sense of the word. You never doubted us, and you always supported me, even when you had a different opinion and expressed it. I hope I won’t disappoint you.
Of people like you, who spent many years abroad, it is often said they are “half Polish, half Sudanese.” In your case, it seems that you had two entire souls: a Sudanese and a Polish one; you were a full-blooded Pole and a Sudanese at the same time. Your sense of humor, your temper, that showed up only when it was needed, your singing, your stories, your wisdom, your ability to adapt to both easy and harsh conditions, your altruism, your kindness, your selflessness, your care should be an example for all of us.
The last time I saw you, your mustache, which I always envied (as well as your Afro, of which you had exclaimed: “What? You don’t know how much sand it gathers during excavations!”), had unexpectedly been shaved off; then I saw for the first time a striking resemblance to the statues of Taharqa. Exactly the same features.
Mahmoud, just as this Napatan ruler conquered everything he encountered on his path, you conquered the hearts of everyone you met. Without exception.
For me, objectively speaking, you are the person to whom Polish Nubian Studies owe the most, because you contributed at least one brick to the success of each of us, and you practically constructed mine. Therefore, allow us to name the PCMA UW Research Centre in Khartoum after you.
I cannot come to terms with and cannot accept that you have gone away somewhere. So, allow me to write to you from time to time. And we still need to finish your excavations at Jebel Ghaddar, so get ready!