Omdurman is known for its image as the national capital, Sudan’s microcosm, an image that is associated with a long history of cultural, social and political movement revolving around the city. The image of Omdurman is the central topic of this episode, but how did this image come to be formed? And is it imagined or real?

We discuss Omdurman’s early beginnings during the Mahadist state and how the Khalifa planned the city as his capital by looking at the socio-political factors that influenced the shaping of the city. With the rise of the Condominium rule, the seat of power shifted to Khartoum, allowing Omdurman to enter a new era known for its social, cultural and political production that culminated in the nationalist movement.

Since independence, the multiple waves of migration, as well as displacement to the city, has impacted and challenged its cultural identity. We discuss how these recent developments affect the image and identity of the city as a whole.

This is episode one of Khartoum Podcast. Khartoum Podcast is a series produced by Studio Urban of episodes that explore the city of Khartoum and different social, cultural, and political aspects through the lenses of specialists, urbanists, artists, and other inhabitants of the city. The podcast discusses the relationship between people, culture and history to get a better understanding of how the city is continuously being shaped on the everyday.

This episode was produced for Sudan Moves, a project initiated and funded by the Goethe-Institut Sudan.

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Guests:

Dr. Hashim Khalifa is a professor, researcher, and architectural analyst. He has previously worked at the Architectural Design Section at the Ministry of Public Works, as well as the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the University of Khartoum in addition to his work at several other Sudanese Universities.

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Prof. Idris Salim ElHassan is the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the International University of Africa. He has previously worked as an associate professor at the University of Khartoum at the Department of Anthropology for more than 25 years where he was the Dean for University Projects for Community Development as well as the Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Technological and Developmental Studies.

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Prof. Munzoul Assal, is a professor of Social Anthropology at the Faculty of Economics and Social Studies, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University of Khartoum. He was previously the Director of the Graduates Affairs Administration and the Peace Research Institute at the University of Khartoum.

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Tasneem Nagi, is an urban researcher and the founder of the Urban Project. She has previously worked as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Khartoum.

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The production team for this episode are:

Researcher and Producer: Mai Abusalih

Presenter: Azza Mohamed

Script: Husam Hilali and Mai Abusalih

Music: Zain Records

Narration and audio mixing: Tariq Suliman

Project Manager: Zainab Gaafar

Equipment and technical assistance: elMastabaTV

Recording studio: Rift Digital Lab