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A tale of two mountains
Sudan is home to many famous mountains that are not only prominent features of the landscape but also hold deep cultural significance.
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Sudan is home to many famous mountains that are not only prominent features of the landscape but also hold deep cultural significance. These mountains have been central to local traditions, spiritual beliefs, and community identity for centuries. Among the most famous are the Nuba Mountains in Kordofan, the Red Sea Mountain Range, Altaka in Kassala, and Jabal al-Barkal in Karima—a UNESCO World Heritage site with deep ties to the ancient Kingdom of Kush.
Similar to these legendary peaks, Jebel Kordofan and Salbakata are two mountains of great cultural importance, each playing a vital role in the traditions and history of the communities that have lived in their shadows for generations.
The significance of these mountains is explored in two documentary films shot in 2018 and 2019 in Kordofan and Darfur. These films capture not only the breathtaking scenery but also the lived experiences, oral histories, and ancestral knowledge of the people who call these landscapes home.
These films are part of a collection of documentary films produced as part of the Western Sudan Community Museums(WSCM) project. Originally, the collection was intended for exhibition in three museums across Sudan: Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman, Sheikan Museum in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, and Darfur Museum in Nyala, South Darfur. Originally designed to be showcased in these museums, the films provide historical and cultural context to important heritage sites, highlighting their role in shaping local identities. The project also aimed to engage local communities, ensuring that their stories and traditions remain accessible for future generations. All films in this collection were produced by Mark Whatmore and Yoho Media.
Jebel Kordofan: A Symbol of Nature and Identity
Located west of El-Obeid, Jebel Kordofan stands as a defining feature of the region’s landscape. This film captures the mountain’s rugged beauty, as well as the iconic baobab trees—which serve as a symbol of North Kordofan. For centuries, these trees have provided food, medicine, and shelter, making them an integral part of local ecosystems and folklore.
Film date: 2018
Salbakata: The Sacred Mountain of the Dajo
The Dajo people, one of Sudan’s oldest ethnic groups, consider Salbakata a sacred mountain. This documentary features insights from Omda Mohammed Zacaria Ali Arbad, chief of the Dajo tribe, and Professor Abdu Nabi Abdullah Guma Arman, a tribal historian. Together, they explore the cultural and spiritual significance of Salbakata, discussing how it has shaped Dajo traditions, storytelling, and social customs.
Film date: 2019
Whether through the towering peaks of Jebel Kordofan, the sacred slopes of Salbakata, or the many other mountains of Sudan, these landscapes continue to serve as powerful symbols of resilience, identity, and cultural continuity.
Sudan is home to many famous mountains that are not only prominent features of the landscape but also hold deep cultural significance. These mountains have been central to local traditions, spiritual beliefs, and community identity for centuries. Among the most famous are the Nuba Mountains in Kordofan, the Red Sea Mountain Range, Altaka in Kassala, and Jabal al-Barkal in Karima—a UNESCO World Heritage site with deep ties to the ancient Kingdom of Kush.
Similar to these legendary peaks, Jebel Kordofan and Salbakata are two mountains of great cultural importance, each playing a vital role in the traditions and history of the communities that have lived in their shadows for generations.
The significance of these mountains is explored in two documentary films shot in 2018 and 2019 in Kordofan and Darfur. These films capture not only the breathtaking scenery but also the lived experiences, oral histories, and ancestral knowledge of the people who call these landscapes home.
These films are part of a collection of documentary films produced as part of the Western Sudan Community Museums(WSCM) project. Originally, the collection was intended for exhibition in three museums across Sudan: Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman, Sheikan Museum in El-Obeid, North Kordofan, and Darfur Museum in Nyala, South Darfur. Originally designed to be showcased in these museums, the films provide historical and cultural context to important heritage sites, highlighting their role in shaping local identities. The project also aimed to engage local communities, ensuring that their stories and traditions remain accessible for future generations. All films in this collection were produced by Mark Whatmore and Yoho Media.
Jebel Kordofan: A Symbol of Nature and Identity
Located west of El-Obeid, Jebel Kordofan stands as a defining feature of the region’s landscape. This film captures the mountain’s rugged beauty, as well as the iconic baobab trees—which serve as a symbol of North Kordofan. For centuries, these trees have provided food, medicine, and shelter, making them an integral part of local ecosystems and folklore.
Film date: 2018
Salbakata: The Sacred Mountain of the Dajo
The Dajo people, one of Sudan’s oldest ethnic groups, consider Salbakata a sacred mountain. This documentary features insights from Omda Mohammed Zacaria Ali Arbad, chief of the Dajo tribe, and Professor Abdu Nabi Abdullah Guma Arman, a tribal historian. Together, they explore the cultural and spiritual significance of Salbakata, discussing how it has shaped Dajo traditions, storytelling, and social customs.
Film date: 2019
Whether through the towering peaks of Jebel Kordofan, the sacred slopes of Salbakata, or the many other mountains of Sudan, these landscapes continue to serve as powerful symbols of resilience, identity, and cultural continuity.
