The Hawawir were an African people of Semitic origin, dwelling in the Bayuda Desert, Sudan. They were found along the road from Debba to Khartoum as far as Bir Gamr, and from Ambigol to Wadi Bishhra. They adopted none of the African customs, such as gashing the cheeks or elaborate hairdressing. They owned large herds of oxen, sheep and camels.