FUNJ (FUNNIYEH, FUNG, FUNGHA)  , a very mixed negroid race, occupying parts of Sennar and the hilly country to the south between the White and Blue Niles . They traditionally come from west of the White Nile and are affiliated by some to the Kordofan Nubas, by others, more justifiably, to the negro Shilluks . These Funj, who became the dominant race in Sennar in the 15th century, almost everywhere assimilated the speech, religion and habits of the Arabs settled in that region . Until the 19th century they were one of the most powerful of African peoples in the eastern Sudan . About the end of the 15th century they overthrew the kingdom of Aloa, between the two Niles, and conquered the neighbouring peoples of the Sudan, Nubia and even Kordofan . The Funj had mixed much with the Arabs before their conquests, and had been converted to Islam . But they were still in many ways savages, for James Bruce (who traversed the district in 1772) says that their most famous king, Malek-el-Gahman, preferred human liver to any other food, and the Belgian traveller E . Pruyssenaere (1826–1864) found them still performing pagan rites on their sacred Mount Gula . Ernst Marno declared that as late as 187o the most southern branch of the race, the Boruns, a non-Arabic speaking tribe, were cannibals . The Funj kings were content with levying tribute on their neighbours, and in this loose way Shendi, Berber and Dongola were once tributary . The Arab viziers gradually absorbed all power, the Funj sovereignty becoming nominal; and in 1821 the Egyptians easily destroyed the Funj domination . To-day the Funj are few, and represent no real type .

They are a

bright, hospitable folk . Many of them are skilful surgeons and go far afield in their work . The fellahin, indeed, call surgeons " Senaari " (men of Sennar) . See further SENNAR and SUDAN (Anglo-Egyptian) .