Islam and cultural identity among the Berti of Sudan1

Focusing on the Berti of Sudan, this article assesses the role of Islam and Arabism as important variables in the social construction of cultural identity of the studied people. In line with most relevant recent literature, the author looks at cultural identity as a social construct, a dynamic ideology of shifting borders and a historical process that is grounded on diachronic social formation. The article argues that the present Berti identity is a conscious reflection of their subordinate position vis-à-vis the kingdoms and states which have dominated Sudan over the past few centuries. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.