Part of the project carried by first year students at the Faculty of Architecture/ University of Khartoum

1. Cultures in SUDAN
Habab Awad /
Shaza Elhussin /
Tagwa Muhialden.

2. Sudan is full of cultures , such as henna , Ramadan , women at
work , Religious schools – (khalwa ) , .., … , etc . we are going to talk
about some of them .
Henna :
Henna is an ancient form of decoration going back thousands of
years in much of the Middle East and Indian sub-continent
Basically . henna leaves are dried and crushed to a powder, then
made into a paste which is applied to the hands and feet Boys
and girls have henna applied at circumcision. Brides have
elaborate designs applied before the wedding day, and then as a
married woman henna is applied on a regular basis. The
methods of applying it and the designs vary from place to place
and follow fashions Men apply henna without any decoration
when they get married In the Sudan. the leaves are mixed with
water and sometimes 'nashader', a kind of ammonia, which will
make it a dark color or even black when dry

3. Henna :

4. Ramadan
Ramadan is the month when Muslims refrain from eating , drinking and
smoking from sunrise to sunset. Licking stamps, taking medicine; in fact
anything entering the mouth is forbidden . Also vomiting or bringing up
food will invalidate the fast. Sexual thoughts and actions are not allowed
until after the fast is broken. They should also refrain from having bad
thoughts or showing anger. In some countries the break-fast is the only
meal, in others there will be another meal in the late evening and a
snack in the hours before sunrise. The type of food varies too. In Sudan
the main dish is usually aseeda with a sauce made of dried meat or
mince and dry okra sauce [wayka]. In addition can be served: Soup.
Salad . A meat dish- fried meat, kufta, chicken or fish. Yoghurt with
cucumber. Boiled eggs. Samboksa.There will also be jugs of juice :
lemon, grapefruit, mango, kerkadeh, and tamarind.
Men in Sudan usually have breakfast together out their houses .

8. Women :
Women in Muslim countries are thought to be restricted and protected,
but in Sudan they have a lot of freedom. They even had the vote earlier
than some European women, and have always been paid equal wages.
However, in the rural areas life is hard. Women used to have to collect
water from the river or well; collect wood for cooking; as well as help
with the farming. All this in addition to their role as wife and mother,
head cook and bottle washer! The equipment they use is still fairly
primitive .
Many things are beaten by women using a wooden pestle and mortar.
Grain, spices and other dried goods especially. The rhythmic pounding
can be heard particularly if a wedding is being prepared for. The
traditional perfumes include in their ingredients sandalwood, cloves,
cinnamon and duffer [a material like finger nails]. All these have to be
pounded to a powder that will form the base of the perfumes .

11. Religious schools - khalwa
Although the Sudan adopted sharia in the late 20th century, there has
always been a strong Moslem influence for centuries. Originally learning
was obtained from the khalwas, the religious schools where the youth
learned the Quraan by heart
Many of the influential people of recent times have been graduates of
such schools . One of the famous institutions of this type is at Umm
Dowamban , which lies on the eastern bank of the Nile beyond Geraif
East and El Elafon . An eternal flame burns in the place, as was
customary in all khalwas . It is a symbol also of the light that is gained
through education

13. Eating Sudanese style - the innards of a sheep
Sudanese eat large amounts of meat, especially from the sheep. Nothing is
wasted. The skin is tanned, the head is cooked and eaten , as are the intestines
[komoniya].The intestines are carefully washed to remove all the contents.
Water is repeatedly poured through the tubes and air is blown into them to
facilitate the cleaning.
At the Eid el Dahiya or if a sheep has been killed for a birth or wedding, raw
liver, lungs and stomach are produced as a delicacy. However, it is accepted
that foreigners may turn up their noses when a plate of 'merara' is served. So,
don't feel obliged to eat if you don't want to. The meat is slaughtered
according to Islamic tradition, and eaten the same day, so some people may
find it too fresh for their taste; though I think it is very good whether fried,
boiled or roasted- but not raw..In general people eat communally from a large
round tray

14. In Sudan, if you are an important guest, a sheep will be slaughtered
in your honor. Many dishes will then be prepared, each more delicious
than the last. Favorite meats are lamb and chicken. Rice is the staple
starch. Breads are the Arabian Khubz, but the Sudanese also make
Kisra, an omelets- like pancake which is part of the Sudanese dinner.
Vegetables, fresh and cooked, are of infinite variety. The okra, is an
important ingredient in a (Bamia dish)- Bamia is an okra lamb stew. You
must try Maschi, a triple tomato dish stuffed with beef, as it is such fun
to make. As in most Arabic countries, fruits are peeled and cut in small
slices for dessert, but the Sudanese also love sweets and every
housewife knows how to make Creme Caramela Custard. You will like
their unusual teas which can be made quite simply. But if you prefer to
serve coffee, make it a demitasse.

16. Jebana :
The ritual of hospitality is as important in the Sudan as it is in
other Arab and African countries. And while there is a measure
of similarity in all the Arab and African countries, each has its
unique characteristics. For example, no other country prepares
coffee as the Sudanese do, and if this country acquired culinary
fame, it is for its Sudanese Jebena (Special made Sudanese
Coffee).
The Sudanese fry their coffee beans in a special pot over
charcoal and then grind it with cloves and certain spices. They
steep it in hot water and serve it lovingly in tiny coffee cups after
straining it through a special grass sieve.

19. Many visitors to the Sudan have commented on
the genuine friendship and hospitality offered
by the Sudanese.

20. That was a little bit of cultures and customs
in Sudan .
IN THE END We thank our sweet teacher
for the idea and support. and our leader
for organizing the group