The Sudanese System & Way of Life - Part 2: Family, Marriage and Obligatory Hospitality

The following two posts (both by Westerners writing about their experiences in Sudan) are extremely fascinating. The observations they make come naturally to them since they’re outsiders. Our culture is foreign to them.

As a Sudanese, it’s difficult for me to spot the things they highlight. Much of what they note is as normal to me as breathing is. It’s just part of everyday life. There’s simply nothing to be observed.

Obligatory Hospitality

1. A Sudanese Feast: Rob Crilly blogs about how he felt like a king when his trusted Sudanese guide invited him to his humble home for a feast. In Sudan this kind of hospitality is a normal obligation. It’s not a favor. When guests visit, you have to take care of them.

Rara Avis left this comment:

It’s fascinating to find a non-sudanese devouring our local cuisine or blogging it with such a passion

To which Rob replied:

It’s great food. I’d say it has more in common with the Middle East than the rest of Africa, which makes a great change from my usual fare

Very true. Especially since he had this feast in Khartoum which is in the Arab/Afro-Arab dominated Northern part of the country.

Family and Marriage

2. closer than… a cousin?: This is a post by a Western aid worker in Sudan. I think he’s American. He doesn’t share his name but he sure does share insightful and accurate insights about the concept of family in Sudanese culture.

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Many Diaspora Sudanese raised abroad or who have spent a significant time overseas don’t adhere to these traditions very strictly but do however maintain them to a large extent. I know my family does, but not so much when it comes to the issue of marriage… fortunately!

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You can check out part 1 here: IBM