Sudan-Traditions+and+Culture

Sudanese traditons have been passed down from generation to generation; dating thousands of years before the birth of Christ. Because Sudan is one of the most diversely populated countries in the world, their culture varies among different ethnic groups. The two largest groups residing in Sudan are the Muslims in the northern region, and the native people in the southern region. Although Arabic is the standard language for trade, there are over four-hundred different languages spoken in Sudan.

The three main religions within Sudan are: Muslim (70%), Indigenous religions (25%), and Christianity (5%). The Indigenous religions are somewhat mysterious to outsiders because the people make no written doctrines of their established beliefs or religious practices. Islam came to Sudan from egypt, and spread rapidly through the country as more and more Arabs moved there. Almost all Sudanese arabs are Muslims, and many of them forcibly convert their fellow countrymen to their religion.
 * RELIGION**

All the information you see posted here about Sudanese religion was attained from this website:[| http://www.sudan101.com/sudan_info.htm]

Team, Sudan. "Sudan101." Sudan101. 30 Apr. 2007 <[|http://www.sudan101.com/sudan_info.htm>.]

and all the martyrs in Sudan.
 * THE FLAG**
 * Red**: Stands for the struggles
 * White:** Stands for peace, light, optimism, and love.


 * Black:** Symbolizes the mahdija revolution.

Information about the Sudanese flag was originally attained from: [|Flag Link]

Ataalsid, Muaz M. "Sudan." Sudan Page. 2001. 30 Apr. 2007 <[|http://www.sudan.net/>.]

In the early1990's, during the first civil war, there was a shortage of teachers and schools. This was especially true in the southern part of the country. Since the end of the first civil war, the number of schools and educators has been steadily increasing in Sudan. The teachers in the rural areas are often untrained and inadequate teachers, resulting in undereducated children. While there was an adequate number of well-educated students graduating from Sudanese universities, the number of students adept at agricultural economy is still sub-par. The current estimated literacy rate in Sudan is 30%.
 * EDUCATION**

"SUDAN." Library of Congress Country Studies. 4 May 2007 <[|http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sd0006)]>

Hospitality is a necessity in Sudanese culture, as it is in other African countries. However, Sudan is unique in its specific culinary traditions. For example, the Sudanese fry coffee beans in a certain type of pot over an open fire. They then add spices to the beans, and grind it with cloves. They then steep the mixture in hot water, and strain it through a grass mesh sieve. The coffee is served in very small coffee cups, and is usually quite strong. When a respected guest visits a household, a sheep is often slaughtered in their honor. Afterwards, meal after meal is served in increasing degrees of tastiness.
 * CULINARY CUSTOMS**

10 May 2007 .