Places in Sudan to visit
Sudan National Museum
Built in 1965, this museum lies on the Nile Avenue in Khartoum overlooking the confluence of the White Nile and the Blue Nile at Al-Mugran area. Visitors can expect to find the relics of the various civilizations of Sudan, from the First Stone Age to the era of “Al Saltana Al-Zarqa” or the “black sultanate.” The museum reconstructed temples and relics that had been saved from the flooding of the High Dam. These temples were placed at the yard of the museum and an artificial lake was dug to symbolize the original site of the temples.
The Ethnography Museum
This museum is located on Al-Gama’a Street in Khartoum. The museum was opened in December 1956 and demonstrates a vivid live history of the various Sudanese tribes and their customs and traditions.
Al-Khalifa House Museum
This museum is located in Omdurman near Al-Mahdi’s Tomb. It derived its name from Khalifa Abdellah Al-Ta’aishi, the successor of Imam Mohamed Ahmed Al-Mahdi, who was officially residing at the very same place. This museum was established in 1928 and contains relics from the Mahdist period, and also relics from the times of Sultan Ali Dinar and Gordon Pasha, when he was governor of Sudan.
Sheikan Museum
This museum was built in Al-Obeid town in Kordofan and was opened in November 1965. Its name is derived from Sheikan Valley, the site of a battle between Al-Mahdi’s forces and William Hicks’ army in 1883. Mahdi’s forces won the battle and the museum took on the name in memory of the battle. The museum reflects relics dating back to the Mahdist era, besides other archaeological works of art representing all the successive eras of Sudan. The museum further contains some ethnographical collections.
Sultan Ali Dinar Palace Museum in Al-Fashir
This museum was once a place of residence for the Sultan Ali Dinar as well as a government office for him. When he died, ownership of the palace was transferred to Al-Fashir governor and was then made a house for the commissioner of the province until 1971. Its ownership was subsequently transferred to the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museum which transformed it into a museum.
The museum exhibits antiquities that represent the various historical periods of Sudan, ranging from the time of the Stone Age to the era of Christianity. The museum also shows some of the materials used by the Sultan and members of his family. There are also some relics that represent the civilization of the Darfur area.
The Whirling Dervishes
Sudan’s “whirling dervishes” are famed throughout the world for their spell-binding dances. Accompanied by rhythmic drumming, these dances allow dervishes to gradually work themselves into a trance. Dervishes are Muslim devotees.
Abd El Karim Merghani Cultural Center
This center was opened on the 15th of May 1998. It aims to disseminate cultural knowledge and scientific information by organizing fairs, symposiums and lectures on the arts, folklore and culture in general. The center is equipped with a big, bilingual (Arabic – English) library with a child’s section, and also an audio-visual library.
Basheir El Rayah Public Library
This library offers literary and cultural services, as well as book fares, exhibitions and cultural forums.
Beit El Thaqafa
The ‘Cultural House’ was established in 1991. It houses a book and film club and a theatre, and hosts cultural forums and festivals.
British Cultural Center
The center was established in 1948. It offers English language courses and houses a library, a conference auditorium and regularly hosts film shows.
French Cultural Center
The center offers French language study courses, a library, a video club, film shows, seminars, art exhibitions and various cultural activities.
German Cultural Association
Established in 1997, the Goethe Institute offers German language courses, a library, film shows and cultural forums.
Libyan Arab Cultural Center
Established in December 1988, this cultural center offers the following facilities: a public and general library, a children’s library, and an audiovisual library. It also offers courses in typing, secretarial work, Arabic penmanship, photography, video filming, film editing, press and public relations, accounting, Arabic as a second language, and sewing. It holds other cultural activities and forums as well.
The Iraqi Center
The Center was established in 1944 and offers the following facilities: libraries, a theatre, computer labs, video room and art exhibition gallery. A cultural forum is organized every Wednesday.