El Obeid, Sudan
Region: North Kordofan
Geographic Coordinates: 13.183300, 30.216700
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 40.0°C (77°F to 104°F)
Climate: Dry and hot with occasional rainfall during the summer months.
Population: 418280
Language: Arabic
El Obeid is a city located in the North Kordofan state of Sudan, Situated in the heart of the Sahel region. It is one of the largest cities in Sudan and has a population of approximately 500, 000 people. The city was founded during the early 19th century by Arab tribes and has since become an important commercial center for trade between different regions. El Obeid is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city was once an important center for Islamic learning, With numerous mosques and schools that attracted scholars from across Africa and beyond.
Today, Many of these historic sites still stand as testament to El Obeid’s past glory. One such site is the Al-Zubair Pasha Mosque, Which was built during the Ottoman Empire’s rule over Sudan in 1899. This mosque features intricate architecture with beautiful Arabic calligraphy adorning its walls. Another notable historic site is the Al-Farouq Mosque, Which dates back to 1821 and played a significant role in shaping El Obeid’s religious landscape. Apart from its historical significance, El Obeid also boasts natural beauty that draws visitors from all over Sudan and beyond.
The nearby En Nahud Mountains offer breathtaking views of lush greenery amidst rocky terrain while Lake Kuru provides a serene setting for picnics or fishing trips. In terms of economy, El Obeid serves as a hub for agricultural products such as cotton, Gum arabic (used in food production), Sesame seeds (used to make oil), Livestock farming (including camels) among others; making it one of Sudan’s leading agricultural centers.
El-Obeid also hosts several annual festivals that celebrate local culture such as Eid al-Fitr (the end-of-Ramadan festival), Eid al-Adha (the Festival Of Sacrifice) , And Mouloud – which celebrates Prophet Muhammad’s birthday; these events attract thousands of visitors from across Sudan and beyond. Despite its rich cultural heritage and economic importance, El Obeid faces several challenges. The city has struggled with inadequate infrastructure, Including poor road networks, Limited access to electricity and water supply. However, The government has initiated several development projects aimed at addressing these issues and improving the living standards of residents.
El Obeid is a city that offers a glimpse into Sudan’s rich history and culture. With its beautiful mosques, Natural beauty spots such as En Nahud Mountains & Lake Kuru , And thriving agricultural economy; it is no wonder that this city continues to attract visitors from all over the world. Although it faces some challenges with regards to infrastructure development; there are promising signs that things will improve in the future as more investment comes into the region.’
- Al Zubair Pasha Mosque: This is a historical mosque built in the 19th century by Al Zubair Pasha.
- Omdurman Market: This bustling market sells a variety of goods including traditional Sudanese handicrafts.
- El Kurru Tombs: These ancient tombs are located about 60 miles from El Obeid and date back to the Kingdom of Kush.
- Jebel Marra Mountains: This range of mountains is located in western Sudan and offers stunning views and hiking opportunities.
- The Great Mosque of El Obeid: This is one of the largest mosques in Sudan, built during the reign of King Ahmed Bakr Tamboul.
- Kordofan Mountains: This scenic mountain range is located near El Obeid with beautiful landscapes and hiking trails.
- Wadi Abu Dom Archaeological Site: This ancient site dates back to prehistoric times with rock art and carvings.
- Taka Lake National Park: This national park has diverse wildlife including antelopes, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles and hippos among others.
Please note that some tourist attractions may be closed or have limited access due to COVID-19 restrictions or other reasons beyond our control so it’s better to check before planning any visit or travel arrangements.
- The major industries and businesses in El Obeid, Sudan include:
- Agriculture
- Livestock farming
- Textile manufacturing
- Food processing
- Retail trade
- The city is known for its production of:
- Gum arabic
- Sesame seeds
- Peanuts
- Cotton
- There are also small-scale mining operations for gold and other minerals in the surrounding areas.
- Additionally, there are government institutions such as hospitals and schools that provide employment opportunities.
- The Mahdist War: In 1883, El Obeid was seized by the forces of the Mahdi during the Mahdist War. It became a crucial center of resistance against British colonial rule.
- Sheikh Madani al-Azhari: Sheikh Madani al-Azhari was an influential religious leader who lived in El Obeid during the early 20th century. He played a significant role in promoting Islamic education and reform.
- The Battle of El Obeid: During World War I, British troops led by General Reginald Wingate defeated Ottoman soldiers at the Battle of El Obeid in January 1915.
- Ahmed Almustafa Babiker: Ahmed Almustafa Babiker was a renowned Sudanese poet from El Obeid. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest poets in modern Sudanese literature.
- The Darfur conflict: In recent years, El Obeid has been affected by ongoing conflict in Darfur that has resulted in violence and displacement across much of western Sudan.
- Al Kabir Mosque
- El Obeid Museum
- Dinder National Park
- Al-Sheikh Musa Tomb
- Kordofan House of Art and Culture
- Wadi Abu Geili Dam
- Kordofan Hills
- Funj Tombs
- Al-Fasher University Museum
- Jebel Marra Mountains
- Eid al-Fitr: A major Islamic festival celebrated at the end of Ramadan with feasting, family gatherings, and gift-giving.
- El Obeid Camel Market: A weekly market where traders from all over Sudan come to buy and sell camels every Monday, attracting many visitors.
- Kordofan Cultural Festival: Celebrating the culture of the Kordofan region of Sudan, featuring traditional music, dance performances, food stalls, and crafts.
- Mawlid al-Nabi: A celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad in Islam involving religious ceremonies, feasting, and charity work.
- Independence Day: Celebrating Sudan’s independence from British colonial rule on January 1st 1956 with parades and cultural activities across the country including El Obeid.
- Al-Fitir Festival: An annual event that takes place after Ramadan where people gather together to celebrate with food (especially sweets), music & dancing.
- The Sufi Festival: Celebrating Sufism through poetry recitations & musical performances.
- Holi Festival: A Hindu-inspired festival that has become popular among young people in El Obeid where participants throw coloured powder at each other as they dance to music.
- The Watermelon Festival: Held during harvest season in September/October when watermelons are abundant; it features competitions like seed-spitting contests & eating challenges along with live entertainment.
- The International Women’s Day Celebration: Held annually on March 8th featuring speeches by local leaders followed by cultural dances & skits highlighting women empowerment issues.
- 1. Ful medames – a dish made of fava beans served with bread.
- 2. Kebabs – grilled meat skewers seasoned with spices.
- 3. Asida – a porridge-like dish made from sorghum flour and eaten with stews or sauces.
- 4. Mullah Tagalia Restaurant – serves traditional Sudanese dishes such as ful medames, asida, and kebabs.
- 5. Al Fath Restaurant – specializes in grilled meat dishes like kebabs and shawarma.
- 6. Al Tawfiq Restaurant – offers a variety of Sudanese cuisine including kisra (a type of bread), ful medames, and stews.
- 7. Al Salam Rotana Hotel restaurant- serves international cuisines along with traditional Sudanese dishes like asida and mullah tagalia stew.
- 8. Al Darabiya Restaurant- offers authentic Sudanese meals such as lamb chops, kofta (meatballs), falafel, hummus dip along with other Middle Eastern delicacies.
El Obeid: A City with Rich History and Cultural Heritage
El Obeid is a city located in central Sudan, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The city has been associated with some of the most notable historical events and people, including:
Overall, El Obeid has played an important role throughout Sudan’s history as both a site of resistance against colonialism and center for religious and cultural development.
Note: It is always advisable to check for the latest travel advisories before visiting any foreign country due to changing circumstances that may affect your safety while travelling abroad especially during this COVID-19 pandemic period where most countries have restrictions on movement or lockdowns in place to curb the spread of the virus.
