The Beauty of Sudan in terms of Sites, People, Attire, and Music

posted on: Mar 4, 2020

By: Ala Abed-Rabbo/Arab America Contributing Writer

The Republic of Sudan, or Sudan, is a country located in northeastern Africa (see map below).

Sudan has a population of 43 million (2020 estimate) and covers 728,215 square miles (1,886,068 square kilometers), making it Africa’s and the Arab World’s third-largest nation. The country’s capital is called Khartoum.

Although some people focus on Sudan’s war between the north and south, there is still much hidden and unappreciated beauty to this country in Africa.

Sites to Visit in Sudan

Sudan has almost any form of area that people may want to visit. The desert, which is trailed by mountains and valleys in the central zones, lay in the northern part of the country. Swampland and tropical forests combine the south that shows any desired set of terrain as the nation is 29.4% forested. Also, the country has a wealth of historical and archaeological sites.

The Meroe Pyramids

Moreover, there are many great sites to visit in Sudan. For instance, the Meroe Pyramids is an old city located on the east bank of the Nile about 3.7 miles (6 km) north-east of the Kabushiya station, near Shendi, Sudan. Bagrawiyah is the name of the group of villages situated near the site.

“The site of the city of Meroë is marked by more than two hundred pyramids in three groups, of which many are in ruins.”

Sanganeb National Park

The park contains two detached areas: Sanganeb is a secluded coral reef assembly in the central Red Sea, and only, around 15.3 miles (25 km) off the shoreline of Sudan. The second part of the property consists of Dungonab Bay, and Mukkawar Island, located approximately 77.6 miles (125 km) north of Port Sudan.

Also, the park has a highly varied system of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, beaches, and islands. The site provides a habitat for a plethora of species, such as seabirds, aquatic mammals, sharks, fish, turtles, and manta rays.

Necropolis of Nuri

Positioned on the west side of the Nile, close to the Fourth Cataract, Necropolis of Nuri is a popular landmark in Sudan. There are more than 20 ancient pyramids that once belonged to Nubian kings and queens, which obliged as a royal necropolis for the old city of Napata. This city was the Nubian Kingdom of Kushthe’s first capital.

The Taka Mountains

Located in the city of Kassala, the Taka Mountains are situated in eastern Sudan. The mountains are a frequent destination for sightseers from across the world, and Sudanese, where many visits to spend their honeymoon.

Kassala, in the Hadhanduah Language, means “welcome.” The city is categorized by mountains, greenery, and picturesque views, as many consider it one of the most stunning cities in Sudan. The Taka Mountains are as high as 1600 feet above sea level, so they are considered as one of the most massive rock blocks world-wide.

The Sudanese Beauty

Like every country or in parts of the world, Sudanese are peculiarly known for their beautiful glowed, complexion skin types, sharp noses, long and narrow face, and muscular (for men and some women), curvy (for women), or slim bodies (both men and women).

Attire

“Religions and beliefs of local people have a great influence on the national clothing of Sudan.”

Therefore, most Sudanese people wear loose-fitting long clothes to cover most of the body. Such dresses and robes are sewed from light natural materials. Some individuals also cover their heads, women with scarves and men with turbans. There are a few who dress in Western-style garments, but they less common than traditional styles.

Men’s old-style apparel – It is made up of a long, loose-fitting white or pastel-colored, or brown robe (termed “jalabiya”), a headdress (a turban), and shoes. A Jalabiya is long, down to the ankle collarless robe with long sleeves.

Women’s Traditional Outfit 

The general dress of Sudanese women is known as “toob” (“thobe,” “thawb,” “toub”). It is a long wrap-around, body coverage, fabric worn on top of a shirt and skirt/trousers/pants. It is mostly made from satin, cotton, polyester, jersey, denim, and other cloths.

A thawb is made up of any color, and it can have numerous patterns on the material. The older women usually prefer white thawbs, and the young mostly wear multi-color toobs, with accessories. Thawbs that cost more money are often embroidered with stitch-work, rhinestones, and other decorative fundamentals. These accents and fabric are famously beautiful and allow a great deal of customization.

Music of Sudan

The amusing and diverse music of Sudan is made up of old, rural East African roots and of Arabic, Western, or other African inspirations on the typical urban music from the early 20th century and beyond.

Music in the country has a durable custom of lyrical expression that uses distorted symbols, speaks about love, the antiquity of a tribe, or the beauty of the nation.

Some instruments used in Sudanese music: The Wazza is a horn-type played in Sudanese music.

“The Wazza is a long wind instrument constructed from combined cow horns, and while blown it is also tapped for percussive effect.”

Moreover, other instruments such as lute or oud, as well as western instruments specifically in up-to-date Sudanese pop-music, such as accordions, saxophones, electric guitars, violins, basses, banjos are often played in Sudan.

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Edited by Emily Devereaux, March 3rd, 2020