Khartoum to Karima
Posted February 3, 2020 by Jan
Khartoum to Karima
Sudan
February 2, 2020
On The West Road, Bayuda Desert, Sudan
An all-day drive. Destination: Jebel Barkal. The Barkal Mountain.
Expect the unexpected in the desert.
slide to letter
Sufi Spiritual Frenzy: Sudan
Posted February 2, 2020 by Jan
Omdurman
Sudan
Friday Evening
January 31, 2020
This report was filed by Ala Kheir, John Burns and Ibrahim Algrefwi for Brownbook part of the the Guardian Africa Network on February 5, 2016.
In Omdurman, the largest city in Sudan, the Qadiriyya Sufi order meets every Friday outside Sheikh Hammed Al Nil Mosque which houses the tomb of their 19th century Sufi leader.
Sudan has one of the largest Sufi communities in the world. Sufism is a branch of Islam often seen as mystical due to its followers’ pursuit of a personal, inner path to G-d. What unites each Sufi order is the belief that a path to God can be found through dhikr – absolute absorption in worship during which prayers, dances and spins may be repeated with enough fervour to induce a trance.
Markets, Omdurman, Sudan
Posted February 1, 2020 by Jan
Omdurman,
Sudan
February 1, 2020
Markets (souks) are always high on my To See list.
It’s a great way to meet the local people
There’s always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
In Sudan especially, vendors are curious about me, happy to chat and pose for photographs.
Museum and Mausoleum
Posted January 31, 2020 by Jan
Khartoum
Sudan
January 31, 2020
Please stroll with me through the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum.
Please celebrate with me at Mausoleum of The Madhi in Omdurman.
Jan
Welcome to Sudan
Posted January 30, 2020 by Jan
Khartoum
The Republic of the Sudan
January 30, 2020
“I prefer civilization” said my cousin when I suggested that she and her husband accompany me to Sudan.
It’s true that in Khartoum, this capital city of five million, the streets are dusty or unpaved. The sidewalks uneven. Few signals control the traffic. Cars are parked wherever they stop. Buildings lie unfinished, in need of repair or just dilapidated.
it appears that nothing of any value is discarded. Men sit on the sidewalk or in small shops where they repair, mend or overhaul everything from watches to eyeglasses to telephones to irons to automotive parts.