From 2000-1550 BC, the region of Nubia in present day Sudan was controlled by the powerful, but little understood, Kerma state. This African kingdom, named after the monumental and royal site of Kerma, is famous for its theatrical and opulent funerary traditions which seemingly involving large-scale human sacrifices. However, little research has been done on interpreting the role of these unusual funerary traditions, and how they can inform us about the nature and ideology of the Kerma state. In this talk and discussion, Elizabeth Minor (Wellesley College) and Carl Walsh (Joukowsky Institute), put forward new interpretations and ideas regarding these enigmatic burial practices based on their recent research, moving to shed light on this mysterious African rival of ancient Egypt.