"Nubians in Egyptian service, what did they wear?" Topic

The Nubians that were in Egyptian service were they hired and wearing their own clothes or are they "issued" Egyptian style clothing? I was noticing how the ancient models of Nubian archers look more like Egyptians than Nubians.

I've researched this topic a while ago. Yes to both. At many points of history Nubians served in their tribal contingents and as Egyptian regualar troops. They served as regulars in earlier times and as tribal contingents in later periods.

In my army I have them wearing Nubian attire, but count them as part of the regular close order archer unit. Not sure that it's particularly historical, but plausable. Also, look good on the table. link

Also note that the parts of Nubia closer to the Egyptian border became culturally Egyptianized over time, via trade, travel and occupation, so that the people dressed and lived much like Egyptians. Ultimately the Kushite pharaohs presented themselves as the guardians and revivers of Egyptian culture against corrupting foreign influences (Goldurn pesky Greeks! And don't get me started on those Persians!)

I assume that fresh troops would be wearing their own "national" attire, the longer they serve, the likelier they would switch to Egyptian garb if only to replace older worn clothes or if enough money was forthcoming as a status symbol.

I also suspect it depends where they were serving – on the frontier one suspects that native garb would be the rule, as I suspect the Egyptian military was as cheap as other armies in kitting out auxilaries on the edge of the Empire

It is a good question as the block of wooden Nubian archers from Middle kingdom look regular. My guess is those close to Egypt in more regular Egyptian clothing and those further away would be in more irregular costume of skins etc.
Both types would served in Egyptian armies with more regular looking ones in formed bow units possibly and others as skirmishers.
This allows for light medium as well as skirmishing Nubians in an army.