before 1917, during the war against the british, the current sultan agabna, led the nymang against the colonial rulers. he lost the fight and was hanged in 1917. at that time the nuba mountains were ruled by kujurs. all kujurs were ruled by sultans but each hill had self-rule without too much interference from the sultan. in 1954, when sudan prepared to gainindependence, mekks (chiefs) were appointed for each hill. a nazir was appointed as the ruler of the mekks. the sultan still kept his position, but was without power.