Why did Baqqarah Arab nomads join the Mahdist army?

The Baqqarah Arabs, who were cattle nomads residing in Kordofan and Darfur, joined the Mahdist army primarily due to their deep-seated hatred of taxation and their general contempt for government authority.1

As a vital component of the movement, these nomads served as the shock troops of the Mahdist revolutionary army. Their significant numbers and intense enthusiasm were instrumental in compensating for the army's lack of advanced technology, ultimately allowing the Mahdists to successfully challenge and overthrow the existing administration.1