The Unique Sudanese Culture

Culture is something that tremendously varies from society to society and is an essential part of what shapes our perceptions, attributions, judgments, and ideas of self and other. Unlike the United States of America, Sudan was not founded on the principle that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In Sudan, it is ubiquitous that every civilian does not have an equal opportunity as well substantial support to obtain quality food, shelter, safety, clothing, and medical care. Due to the social injustices found in Sudan, it is axiomatic that the Sudanese culture is very diverse from the culture found in the United States.

Material culture is important in every culture and country; it represents the identity of each nation. To fully understand Sudan, one must learn about their material culture. Stated in the Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Culture, in Sudan, women are enjoined by the “Islamic regime to dress modestly” (Joseph, Afsaneh 34). A woman wearing a thawb, demonstrates this enjoinment. A thawb is an ankle length piece of clothing wrapped around the body and around the head. On the other hand, men can be seen wearing traditional or western clothes. A traditional outfit for a man would consist of a jalabiya and sirwal. The jalabiya is similar to the thawb. Though, the jalabiya does not wrap around the head. Sirwal’s are loosely fitted pants worn under their jalabiya. Food is quite scarce in Sudan due to the recent civil war that lasted over twenty years. Though, the foods native to Sudan are the Kissra, Kawal, and Marara. Kissra is “a special type of bread made of durra. Kawal is used as a meat substit...

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...r people to partake in a community by contributing to life-giving relationships with others who live nearby. Despite all the economic and political differences between Sudan and the U.S, the challenge of overcoming a history laced with violence and a culture in which guns play an integral role is a similarity between these two nations. Another similarity seen between these two countries is the love each President has for its nation. The part of the Sudanese cultural that interested me the most is their music and their diverse and colorful dietary habits. The music that is seen in the Sudanese culture interested me because it is unique and extraordinary. Most of the lyrics are made up on the spot and is accompanied by a rhythmic drum. I was also interested in Sudan’s diverse and colorful dietary habits because I did not recognize any of the foods listed as “normal.”