Makuria

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/makuria

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Makuria?Nile Valley, encompassing parts of modern northern Sudan and southern Egypt
2. What is the capital of Makuria?Dongola (Old Nubian: Tungul)
3. What language do people speak in Makuria?Nubian, alongside Coptic, Greek, and Arabic
4. What is the religious affiliation?Converted to Christianity in the mid-6th century
5. What is the cultural peak period?9th to 11th centuries, characterized by significant architectural and artistic achievements
6. Why did Makuria become Christian?In the mid‑600s, Makuria converted to Christianity. This linked it to the Byzantine world and shaped its art, buildings, and society.

Kingdom of Kush: An ancient Nubian kingdom that preceded Makuria, whose collapse paved the way for new states.
Dongola Reach: A fertile and strategically important section of the Nile Valley that formed the core territory of Makuria.
Baqt: A significant and long-lasting peace treaty between Makuria and Arab rulers, established in 651 CE.
Mamluk Sultanate: A powerful Islamic state that ruled Egypt and exerted considerable military and political pressure on Makuria.