Sudanese Women In Egypt Adhere To Traditions And Seek Dignified Living

PortSudan( Sudanow)Thousands of Sudanese families came to Egypt searching for security and escaping from the hell of dissolved militia that wreaked havoc, which had not been witnessed by the wars of ages and it has practiced the violent deadly against the youth , old men and the women were raped brutally even they insulted and raped among of their families and other types of torture.

Sudanow met some of the families that obliged to flee after leaving all their properties to start life in different country and situation, the beginning with Mirs Najowa Osman is a wife house who said the systematic violence against women and force displacement by dissolved militia have made women suffer. They became displaced to the security states or refugees in various places , trying hard to earn a dignified living while adhering to their original sudanese traditions.

Sudanese women who chose to seek refuge in Egypt did not have an easy escape. They were exposed to various forms of suffering. Among them were elderly women who suffered from various diseases, needed medication, and struggled to board smuggling vehicles. There were also young girls who left their dreams behind and embarked into the unknown without any idea of what they would face, lacking any certificates or skills to confront their uncertain fate. And there were little girls who screamed in terror at the speed of the vehicles and the darkness endured all kinds of torture.

Among the challenges of preserving customs and traditions in the midst of this war, Sudanese women were forced to abandon wearing the (thob), which represents their identity. Mrs. Nadi, a housewife, says:

"This is the most painful thing we've faced in this war. It has stripped us of our identity, which we are known for in the world." We were forced to wear abayas because of their cheap prices. We left with nothing, as everything we owned was stolen from us.

This war, which began on April 15, 2023, has shown the dissolved militia's attempt to erase the Sudanese identity, starting with stripping Sudanese women of the national dress, the "thob", and the symbol of authenticity. This was followed by everything that distinguished them from their traditions and heritage, such as henna dyeing and other adornments, changing their appearance entirely.

Maha recounts, "The war has changed us, stripping away everything that once defined us. Even the tradition of henna, we abandoned it in mourning for our wounded homeland. For Sudanese women, mourning means renouncing adornment with henna.

Thus began our journey to earn a living and meet life's demands. With men either serving as soldiers, mobilized in the Battle of Dignity, or struggling to make an honest living, the burden of caring for children and the elderly fell upon us. So, we chose to fight in a different battlefield , for dignity.
Zainab, a 40-year-old mother of three, says:

We ourselves are soldiers who must fight to triumph for ourselves and our country." I don't have certificates, and even if I did, would they be recognized here in Egypt?

She decided to make tamia (a Sudanese dish made from ground, roasted chickpeas) next to a Sudanese bread oven, which has gained popularity even among Egyptians.

Thank God, most of my customers are Egyptian, and the profit is rewarding. I consider this a victory in our struggle for dignity, as Sudanese tamia has competed with Egyptian falafel in its own territory."

Another woman shares her story, saying that she bought okra and chili, dried them, and sold them to Sudanese families, for whom weika (dried okra) and chili are essential staples on the Sudanese dining table.

Zuhal specialized in organizing bazaars to provide women with opportunities to sell their products and meet life's demands. I rent a hall or a public garden and invite anyone who wishes to showcase their goods, she explains.

The bazaars themselves vary between permanent and temporary ones. Permanent bazaars require a fixed monthly rent for displaying products, which can be burdensome due to rental costs and the limited purchasing power caused by the niche nature of the products.

On the other hand, temporary bazaar lasting a day, two days, or a week are more popular. They take place during weekends or holidays in gardens or private halls, attracting more visitors who seek entertainment, explore new products, and learn about Sudanese culture. Since the refugee women come from all regions of Sudan, the variety of displayed items is rich and diverse.

The campaign for certificates knocked on the doors of employment in various fields, but they found nothing but grueling work in factories and sales jobs in commercial stores.

Sudanese women held on to their customs and traditions, even in the midst of war. You'll find a story of suffering in every apartment. In the tradition of hospitality, Sudanese women welcome anyone who visits them upon their arrival in Egypt until they settle down. You'll often find an apartment meant for a medium-sized family overflowing with two or more families.

The host family bears the responsibility of providing comfort for their guests, enduring unimaginable financial and physical burdens. They manage the household with little money and many requirements, adhering to their customs and traditions despite the suffering and changes in living conditions.
Then, she finds herself once again welcoming patients who have been crushed by the hardships of war, realizing they have become a burden on others. Determined to ease their suffering, she stands with unwavering resolve, bearing the responsibility of hosting and caring for both the patients and their companions.
The suffering is even more intense when there is a death, It's a Sudanese custom to gather to bury the deceased with dignity, but they also stay to console the family of the deceased, who often didn't die at home. It falls on the Sudanese women to gather, cook, and usually share the expenses among themselves, which represents a significant financial and psychological burden in order to adhere to their customs.
Despite all this pressure, they hold on to the value of solidarity and compassion, visiting each other to resolve the various problems they face. Struggling to reach a safe haven. International Women's Day arrives for the second year in a row, and the Sudanese woman is a refugee, oppressed, and violated, with her lifestyle and appearance changed by militias aided by mercenaries from all over the world. She was once renowned for her presence at every gathering, wearing her distinctive and beautiful traditional dress.

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