Standard of the Khalifa's Black Flag Division captured at Omdurman, 2 September 1898

The 14,000-strong Black Flag Division of Khalifa Abdullahi ibn Muhammed (1846-1899), was largely composed of tribesmen from the western Baggara and Darfur regions of Sudan. Although most of its soldiers were armed with spears and swords, it also included most of the Mahdist army's riflemen and artillery.

This standard is inscribed in Arabic text that translates as: 'Oh God, Oh Most Merciful, Oh Most Pitiful, Oh Eternal, Oh Everlasting, Oh thou indued with glory and bounty. There is no God but Allah. Mohammed is the prophet of Allah. Mohammed the Mahdi the Khalifa of the Messenger of God'.