Sudanese literature
Encyclopedia
There are records of Sudanese literature dating from the 15th century, but it wasn't until the 16th and 17th centuries that a distinctive Sudanese literature began to appear. The ruler of Sudan
, and the Songhai Empire
at the time, Askia the Great was a patron of literature. According to the 16th-century Moroccan
explorer Leo Africanus
, writing in 1510 CE
,
, but certain genres also in other local languages, such as poetry in the Beja language
. Both written literature, and oral tradition
, such as folklore
are found. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a trend of transcribing spoken tales.
Among the types of stories from oral tradition are the "Ahaji" tales and the "Madih", or praise tales. The first kind generally have a mythological character, El-Nour writes that, "they invariably have happy endings and are full of fanciful scenes and superstitions that describe the magic powers of genies and ogres". The second kind of tales have a more religious overtone, relating to praising Muhammad
, and are generally more popular in the north of the country.
, the Sudanese capital in 1914 and published a variety of poetry and other literature. The first editor of the paper was Abdul Raheem Glaiati
.
In the 1960s, in line with social developments in other countries at the time, there began to be published novels dealing with social realist themes. These were spurred on by students returning home from studying in European countries. El-nour states that a novel by the title of "Al-Faragh al-'arid" (The vast emptiness or The wide hollowness) was the first "true example" of this type. Published in 1970, after the death of its author Malkat Ed-Dar Mohamed
, the work caused quite a stir by being both published by a woman and dealing with realist themes.
One of the most notable Sudanese writers is Al-Tayyib Salih. He has written both novels and short stories
. His most famous work Season of Migration to the North
, published in 1967
, deals with the coming of age of a student returning to Sudan from England
. It originally appeared in Arabic
and has subsequently been published in both English
and French
.
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, and the Songhai Empire
Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire, also known as the Songhay Empire, was a state located in western Africa. From the early 15th to the late 16th century, Songhai was one of the largest Islamic empires in history. This empire bore the same name as its leading ethnic group, the Songhai. Its capital was the city...
at the time, Askia the Great was a patron of literature. According to the 16th-century Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
explorer Leo Africanus
Leo Africanus
Joannes Leo Africanus, was a Moorish diplomat and author who is best known for his book Descrittione dell’Africa describing the geography of North Africa.-Biography:Most of what is known about his life is gathered from autobiographical...
, writing in 1510 CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
,
In Timbuctoo there are numerous judges, doctors and clerics, all receiving good salaries from the king. He pays great respect to men of learning. There is a big demand for books in manuscript, imported from Barbary (North Africa). More profit is made from the book trade than from any other line of business.
Typology
Literature today is largely written in the Arabic languageArabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, but certain genres also in other local languages, such as poetry in the Beja language
Beja language
Beja or North Cushitic is an Afro-Asiatic language of the southern coast of the Red Sea, spoken by about two million nomads, the Beja, in parts of Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea.-Classification:...
. Both written literature, and oral tradition
Oral tradition
Oral tradition and oral lore is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants...
, such as folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
are found. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a trend of transcribing spoken tales.
Among the types of stories from oral tradition are the "Ahaji" tales and the "Madih", or praise tales. The first kind generally have a mythological character, El-Nour writes that, "they invariably have happy endings and are full of fanciful scenes and superstitions that describe the magic powers of genies and ogres". The second kind of tales have a more religious overtone, relating to praising Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, and are generally more popular in the north of the country.
Modern literature
Although there were several newspapers published around the turn of the 20th century, arguably the most important newspaper in terms of impact on modern Sudanese literature was "Al-Ra'id" (The Pioneer). The paper was first published in KhartoumKhartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
, the Sudanese capital in 1914 and published a variety of poetry and other literature. The first editor of the paper was Abdul Raheem Glaiati
Abdul Raheem Glaiati
Abdul Raheem Glaiati was a renowned Sudanese poet, author and newspaper editor. He edited the newspaper Al-Ra'id between 1914 and 1917, when he was deported to Egypt after publishing an article describing the low standards of living of the Sudanese people.-References:* El-Nour, Eiman "The...
.
In the 1960s, in line with social developments in other countries at the time, there began to be published novels dealing with social realist themes. These were spurred on by students returning home from studying in European countries. El-nour states that a novel by the title of "Al-Faragh al-'arid" (The vast emptiness or The wide hollowness) was the first "true example" of this type. Published in 1970, after the death of its author Malkat Ed-Dar Mohamed
Malkat Ed-Dar Mohamed
Malkat Ed-Dar Mohamed Abdullah was a Sudanese novelist, composer, and poet. She was born in El-Obaid, Sudan.-Select bibliography:* The Mad Woman* The Wide Hollowness* The Village’s Wiseman...
, the work caused quite a stir by being both published by a woman and dealing with realist themes.
One of the most notable Sudanese writers is Al-Tayyib Salih. He has written both novels and short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
. His most famous work Season of Migration to the North
Season of Migration to the North
Season of Migration to the North is a classic post-colonial Sudanese novel by the late novelist Tayeb Salih...
, published in 1967
1967 in literature
The year 1967 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Influential science fiction anthology Dangerous Visions published.*Cecil Day-Lewis is selected as the new Poet Laureate of the UK.-New books:...
, deals with the coming of age of a student returning to Sudan from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It originally appeared in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
and has subsequently been published in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
See also
- Arabic literatureArabic literatureArabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
- Culture of SudanCulture of SudanSudanese culture melds the behaviors, practices, and beliefs of about 578 tribes, communicating in 145 different languages, in a region microcosmic of Africa, with geographic extremes varying from sandy desert to tropical forest.-Ethnicity:...
- List of Sudanese writers