Travel Writing from the Muslim World
By:
Student Name
Introduction
This paper seeks to discuss about the significance of travel writing in the Muslim world. It seeks to answer the question regarding the conception of Sudan or Africa that can change over time. This is from the medieval time to the onset of the modern times. The focus of this paper is to determine if there is a marked shift in conception between earlier and later accounts with the conception of Sudan. Knowing if there are similar things that can be considered as focus of attention will be utilized from the discussion is an important measure to indicate any relationship with the modern and past era. In addition, it seeks to find out if there are interest groups who thoroughly understand to be a Sudanese that impacts the welfare of the society in the long run.
As a brief, Sudan is a country in north-eastern part of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia and Eritrea to the east, South Sudan to the south, Egypt on its north, Chad to the west, Central African Republic to the southwest, and Libya on its northwest border. The predominant religion in the country is Islam, making it one of the members of the Arab states in the Arab League of Nations in Africa. Introduction of Islam in the country was influenced by the Arab settlers who also happen to be Muslims. Arab merchants travelling the area introduced Islam to the area. Arab merchants became permanent settlers in the area. Muslim settlers passed their tradition with their next generation families that spanned until the present era. Aside from Islam, the country has also been affected by the influence of Christianity, which is another dominating religion in the country that makes another fair share of the total population across the country.
History
To answer the question regarding the conception of Sudan or Africa over time is about the integration of new culture as well as integration of new cultural practice in the country. Sudan has been known as a Muslim country due to the dominating influence of Muslims with its customs and traditions. This is obviously based from the country’s practice of Shariah Law with its government’s laws and regulations. The country’s image from the past has already been known to be a Muslim dominated area since the medieval times. The location of Sudan has the closer proximity towards the Arab nations than the western nations, which makes it to be more likely to be influenced by Muslim followers of Islam. It is situated in the heart of Africa, which is easily accessed by Muslim clerics who are aiming to extend Islam from the Arab world to nearby areas.
As based from the reading on ‘Travel Knowledge: European discoveries in the Early modern period’ describes that colonial countries were aware about the religious practice of African countries when they arrived in their respective places. During the age of exploration, Europeans were surprised that Islam is already installed in Sudan and other parts of Northern African countries. Europeans were responsible for introducing Christianity in Africa, which created a religious barrier between the Islam dominated north of the continent to Christianized portion in the southern half of the continent. However, ancient Sudanese during that time were already saturated with Islam, embracing its values and interests across the country even if they were invaded by the European colonizers during the maritime era. As a Muslim country, there were numerous interests as well as sacred issues that were responsible for keeping the society to be one of the most diverse in Africa as observed by historians and sociologists.
Conception of Sudan or Africa over time
Conception of Sudan over time was observed when it was ruled by some of the dominating kingdoms from the medieval era. One major kingdom that ruled the area was the Kingdom of Kush. It was initially an ancient Nubian state that centered the Nile towns and capitals during the past centuries and millennia. During this time, integration of Islam only dominated on AD 500, which boosted another cultural norm in the area for several years. The Holy Roman Empire was responsible for spreading the Christian faith to all of its territories, spanning the whole of the Mediterranean region up to the western Asian continent and the half of Europe. However, it failed to extend its territory down on the African continent. This was due to the geological barrier separating the African continent. Muslims took the opportunity to permanently settle their religious influence to the country by migrating and spreading the word of Allah.
Conception of Africa over time was then influenced by former tribal communities across the area. Ancient African tribe gradually adapted Muslims as part of their community. The influence of Muslims started to creep from the Sahul region in Africa near on its borders of the Sahara dessert down towards the Central African nations. During the colonial times, the influence of Christianity spread to other parts of Africa, literally integrating the Christian faith to the lower half of the continent. Since Europeans started to grant independence to several countries in Africa, countries like Sudan in north and eastern parts of Africa was still dominated by Muslims. Today, Sudan is now influenced by the practice of Shariah Law, which is a political-religious connection that allow the government to directly apply the teachings and practice of Islam that is integrated with the constitution of Sudan.
Muslim conception of Sudan between past and modern times
Sudan was once the largest country in Africa ancient Nubian kingdoms was responsible for establishing Sudan’s early governance was a challenge because it was a kingdom struggling to keep its political strength and will to maintain its territory against other kingdom or tribe. During the middle aged-era, Senar dynasty formally integrated Islam but was still struggling to maintain its religious practice because there are still outlying communities across Sudan that was still under the hands of other kingdom. There were several border disputes against other kingdoms, that is why Sudan has been struggling to maintain its territory because there are still several kingdoms, territories, and colonial powers that were trying to claim the country as their own. The only thing that is observable in the country from the past was the customs, traditions, and practices that was only prominent in centers and not all residents around Sudan from the past centuries because it was not that centralized as compared today.
The conception of Shariah law was established when Sudan gained its independence from the United Kingdom and Egypt in 1956. Sudan clearly created a new map that would indicate its political and geographical identity in Africa. Shariah Law was integrated as part of its political sustainability because officials aims to honor the values and perspectives written from the Quran, which will be directly impacting the customs and responsibilities of law as well as traditions across Sudan. Muslim is now a predominant religion in the country since it was ruled by new leaders who are promoting Islam as part of their political, social, and economic responsibilities. Today, Shariah is also influencing the economic culture of Sudan, which reflects the values and norms of Muslim dominated countries in the Arab region in the modern era.
Similarities observed in Sudan’s Muslim practice
The similarities observed in the modern era are about the respect of religious tradition. For this reason, there is a strong sense of religious norms being practiced in Sudan. Example is Sufism, which is an Islamic practice that entails about the strengthening of faith among Muslims. It is a practice where in a Muslim inherent will be increasing their time to offer their prayers, religious activities, and affiliations with Allah as part of their praise and worship. Dress codes are an important implementation of Shariah law in Sudan because women were imposed to have a strict observation with the way they should wear hijab. Prohibition of pork in their diet is strictly observed is also a practice because pork represents taboo under the traditional delicacy for Arabs. Similar from the past, men still dominates in all aspects of the society because they are less restrained with the laws and practices of Islam, which is opposite scenario for Sudanese women who were imposed with numerous strict values and norms.
The polygamous nature of men in Sudan is also dominant. Males are granted with more than two brides or wives for as long as they are capable of sustaining their basic needs. This is observed among the wealthy class families in Sudan where leaders and business owners are privileged with power and influence to their local communities. Hajj pilgrimage is also being observed to be a strong cultural norm among Sudanese residents because they consider this annual event as one of the most important practice that a Muslim should administer with their religious faith. As for the music, the sounds of Shilluk, which is a traditional Sudanese music is now regulated by the Shariah law so that the play will always encompasses with the conservative nature of Islam while playing the music. Imposition of strict Salafi interpretation is applied in Sudan is always observed because it will not risk any vows or traditions that will negate the practice of Islam as based from Quran.
Changes brought about by the modern times are about the integration of foreign relations of Sudan. Since it is now a competitive country, Sudan is recognized by other countreis as one of the most important nation in Africa, contributing with its relations with political, economic, and cultural affairs. The country is now opening its doors to other cultures to explore the country’s history, politics, economy, and socio-cultural affairs to boost the country’s bilateral relations and tourism. However, the Sudan is also affected by the ongoing Islamist militants responsible for causing security concerns across the country. Sudan is situated in an area that is also dominated by numerous extremist groups that are blamed for spreading terrorism in the area. Terrorists are promoting Jihad, which is a false religious ideology interpreted by extremist in order to propagate atrocities to several nations in the country. Today, Islam is considered the most feared religion due to the sprouting of Islamist militants in the Arab world affecting Sudan.
As for the learning insight, Muslim is a monotheistic religion that is very rich in traditional norms and practices affecting its inherent. There are numerous cultures and values taken from this particular religion that shapes up a certain country. Sudan is an example that has been successfully dominating Islam as an important religious practice, citing its relevance to political, religious, cultural, and social affairs with other communities. However, the problem is the emergence of interest groups that are wrongfully promoting false ideas about Islam in order to promote their self-interest. Promoting wrong ideology is a way for extremists to take advantage against others so that they can satisfy their self-greed while creating chaos against the security of other societies. Overall, Islam is a culture that should be always respected because it is a right for every community or individual to practice what they preach (Zhiri, n.p.).
Works Cited
Zhiri, Oumelbanine. Travel Knowledge: European discoveries in the Early Modern Period. 2001. Print.
