Bert Uyttenbroeck

Bert Uyttenbroeck

Belgium

18-11-11

Sudan - The colorful Nubian villages along the Nile

The tranquil Nubian villages along the Nile River stretch that goes from Old Dongola all the way north to Wadi Halfa are best known for the brightly painted gates that adorn many of the simple mud-brick homes. With geometric shapes and hieroglyphic-like pictures, flowers and many other patterns they represent a beautiful contrast with the color of the desert sand and the green banks of the majestic river. The oversize gates hark back to the stone-carved doorways the villagers' ancestors once built on pyramids that rivaled Egypt's.

The typical Nubian house is very spacious, with several large rooms that are able to accommodate the extended family members and guests. In the center of each home is an open courtyard where sometimes large trees offer a pleasant shade to its inhabitants. The population here speaks a different language from the Arabs, and also the Islamic religion is not as "strict" as in other regions. The women don't cover their faces and readily speak to foreigners. When visiting these areas it is not unusual to be invited inside the houses to drink a cup of tea. Hospitality is the main characteristic of Sudanese people and if you ever have the chance to experience it, you will never forget it.

Africa,  Sudan,  Dongola

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