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Sudan is a country full of contradictions: enormous desert and dry savannah in the north, tropical forest and massive swamps in the South, modern buildings in Khartoum and thousand year-old ruins at the coast of the Nile. What brings out the richness of Sudan is the diversity in its people and the multiplicity of its ethnic make-up.

BURJ AL-FATEH HOTEL in Kharthoum - 2010

Part I of this travel guide provides information
on the country and its people, history, culture
and insider tips. Behavioural patterns, norms,
and values are described as well as the transition
between the traditional and modern lifestyles.
The guide also deals with religion, in particular
the impact of Islam on Sudanese society, and
the situation of women. A new chapter written
by El-Mahi Ismail (Ethnomusicologist) on modern
Sudanese music is included in the updated edition.

Part II and III provides information on social
etiquettes, accommodation and sight-seeing in
and outside of the capital Khartoum. It also
provides guidance on embassies, hospitals, media
and shopping. A select bibliography offers further
reading on issues of interest and phonetically
transcribed words and phrases for the non-Arabic
speaker.

The author

Ellen Ismail, a social anthropplogist, lived in the Sudan for more than 20 years. The book is the result of her personal experience and research. Ellen Ismail worked and researched for national and international organisations in the Sudan specialising on woman and development. She also lectured at Khartoum University. Nowadays she works as a freelance journalist, author and consultant. She published serveral books and articles. Her husband, Mahi Ismail, who contributed an article to this book on Modern Sudanese Music, is an ethnomusicologist and music journalist. The couple, their three children and five grandchildren live in the Sudan, Germany and England.

Select Contents

1) The Country

2) A Short History

3) The People

4) The Social Environment and Structure
of Arabic-Muslims in Northern Sudan

5) Education

6) Religion

7) Modern Sudanese Music

8) Behaviour In Specific Situations

9) Places of Interest in and around Khartoum

10) Feasts & Holidays

11) Important telephone numbers & adresses

12) Glossary of Arabic words and phrases

13) Select Bibliography