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Sudan often takes a back seat
to the much more publicized treasures of Egypt.
However, Sudan actually contains a much richer historical record
than that of her heavily promoted neighbor. There
are more ruins and relics in Sudan than anywhere else in Africa. More than 50 pyramids still stand tall after 7,000 years, a
testament to Sudan’s rich heritage.
Similarly, negative publicity has more recently obscured the
current cultural treasures and legends of Sudan.
Sacred
Hills, Temples and Tombes
South
of the town of Karima is the 100 metre high Jebel Barkal, a hill regarded
as sacred by ancient Egyptians. From its summit is a commanding view of
the Nile and at its foot lies the Temple of Amun, second only in length to
the famous Egyptian Karnak Temple. Lying west of the temple are the Jebel Barkal Pyramids,
similar in style to those at Meroe. Farther south in Kurru are other
interesting antiquities containing underground tombs with paintings.
Ancient
Scripts and Art
On the east bank of the Nile
northeast of Shendi, and not far from the Temple of the Sun are the ruins
of pyramids, temples and palaces. This
past kingdom was once influenced by Egyptian art and religion, but over
time became isolated and developed its own method of writing and painting. Eventually the independent city was destroyed by the
Christian kingdom of Axum which descended from Ethiopia.
The
Sugar Loaf Hills
Kassala is home to the fabled
‘sugar-loaf’ hills. These
charming hills can be seen from the distance and are actually known as the
Jebels, the habitat of a band of baboons that come down from the hills at
sunset to drink the invigorating well water.
Local folklore encourages newly-weds to do the same.
By drinking the water the couple will be ensured good luck and
fertility in the marriage.
The
Legacy of Khartoum
Just the sound of Khartoum
conjures up all kinds of images of historic ruins, past Nile expeditions,
the rise and fall of empires and the various conquests of Africa.
At one point or another it seems all historic African expeditions
passed through Khartoum. At
the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile the capital of Sudan is
home to countless stories of conquest, exploration, war, treasures and the
famous 6th cataract of the Nile.
Stories from the past are humbly retold in the national museum, the
ethnological museum, the natural history museum and the abundance of ruins
in the surrounding area. Enough
stories abound in Khartoum to inspire novelists with material to last a
lifetime.
The
Holiest Site in Sudan
Across the Nile from Khartoum
and in striking contrast, is Omdurman, the holiest site in Sudan.
This is where Mahdi's Tomb is located.
Even now, nonbelievers are not permitted to enter.
In the same area is Khalifa's House which is home
to relics of the Mahdi and British Sudan.
The Old Dervishes Fort Museum which exhibits items from colonial
times now has a huge and fascinating market.
At the Hamed al Niel Mosque are Sufi "whirling" dervishes
that can sometimes be seen dancing for an hour before sunset.
Temples,
Mansions and Pyramids
Lying near the 4th cataract is
the ancient capital of the Napata Kingdom.
A dynasty that ruled from the 9th Century B.C.to the 4th
C. A.D. This area retells a
mighty past through the remains of temples, mansions and pyramids.
At Al-Kuru graves are dug deep inside the stones and coloured with
fascinating paintings. The
first kings of Napata, some of whom ruled Egypt in the 25th Dynasty, are
buried here. More pyramids
are located on the opposite bank of the Nile and are also believed to have
been the resting place of a number of the Napata Kings.
Good
Karma
The town of Karma is located 30
kms south of the 3rd cataract and was once the capital of the Sudanese
Karma Kingdom (2500 - 1500 B.C.). It includes tall buildings of unbaked
bricks and the remains of one of the oldest African towns known by the
name Duffufa.
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