Souq Omdurman, Traditional market in Omdurman, Sudan
Souq Omdurman is a market in Omdurman that stretches through winding lanes filled with stalls selling traditional crafts, spices, textiles, gold jewelry, and locally produced foods. The shops are tightly packed, and each section specializes in different types of goods.
The market became a central trading hub in the early 1900s, connecting merchants from Kordofan, Darfur, and South Sudan with the Nile River trade routes. Its layout and structure grew over time to accommodate the increasing flow of goods and traders from distant regions.
Craftspeople from across the country continue to make goods using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations. Local residents and visitors come together to shop and exchange news, making the market a natural gathering place for the community.
The market opens daily from sunrise to sunset, with activity varying considerably throughout the day. Early mornings are less crowded, while Friday mornings attract larger numbers of both vendors and shoppers.
A specialized section called Soug al Nisaa serves exclusively female customers, offering traditional beauty products, perfumes, and ceremonial items for weddings. This dedicated space allows women to shop in a separate area of the market.
Location: Omdurman
GPS coordinates: 15.64747,32.48257
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:09
Sudan offers photographers a substantial mix of ancient monuments, desert formations and river landscapes. The country contains more than 200 pyramids at Meroe, Nuri and El-Kurru that differ markedly from their Egyptian counterparts. These Nubian structures rise from the desert with few visitors present, allowing unobstructed shooting. The National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum and the museums at Kerma and Karima display artifacts from the kingdoms of Kush and Meroe. Archaeological sites including Jebel Barkal, Soleb Temple, Naqa and Al-Musawwarat es-Sufra document the region's historical position as a crossroads of African and Mediterranean cultures. The confluence of the Blue and White Nile in Khartoum creates a distinct dividing line between differently colored waters. Tuti Island and Sabaloka Gorge provide perspectives on the river environment. The Nubian Desert, Bayuda Desert with its volcanic cones and the Kassala Mountains present different desert settings. At the Red Sea port of Suakin, 19th-century coral stone buildings slowly deteriorate, while Sanganeb National Park gives access to coral reefs. The markets of Omdurman and Kassala, along with the Sufi shrine at Sheikh Hamad-al Nil, record contemporary Sudanese life. These locations provide substantial photographic opportunities in a country that receives considerably fewer tourists than its neighbors.
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