SUDAN, ETHIOPIA, SOMALIA

SUDAN

Sudan, which is both the largest country in africa and one of the worlds’ poorest countries, is also one of the least developed countries. The Nile River winds its way upstream from south to north, and the majority of the country's inhabitants make their homes along its fertile banks. The landscape ranges from rocky desert in the north to swampland in the south, and vice versa. The swampland is located in the center. Sudan is also divided along cultural lines. People in the north of the country generally practice Islam and speak Arabic, whilst people in the middle and south speak African languages and practice African faiths in addition to practicing Christianity. The conflict that erupted between the two parties was ultimately responsible for the civil war that lasted for decades.

The civil war has rendered a significant section of the land in the Sudan unfit for human habitation or agricultural production, and it has also resulted in the destruction of a significant amount of the country's arable land. The majority of the population relies on the Nile River as their primary source of irrigation for their land. Cotton, peanuts, gum arabic, millet, and dates are only few of the crops that two-thirds of the workforce cultivates in order to provide for themselves and their families. The expansive irrigation program that the government has been funding has helped farmers produce more crops that can be sold overseas.

A significant number of the indigenous inhabitants of Sudan make their living by leading their cattle from one location to another in quest of new grass. When it comes to importance within the tribe, a person's number of cattle directly correlates to their herd size. The civil conflict has caused significant disruption to the lives of many herders because it has led to the destruction of their pastures and the routes they use to herd their animals.

The population of Sudan is comprised of more than 500 unique tribes and clans, and they speak more than 100 different languages and dialects between them. Every tribe can trace its lineage back to a common progenitor. Nomadism is practiced by a great number of different tribes, including the Dinka and the Juhaynah tribes. Others have chosen to make a certain location their permanent residence, such as the Shilluk people, who are farmers and live on the western bank of the Nile. They are part of the Beni Amer tribe and adhere to Islam.

KHARTOUM

Since the country of Sudan won its independence in 1956, Muslim leadership in Khartoum, the country's capital, have made repeated attempts to convert the rest of the population to Islam, which has resulted in both civil conflict and widespread starvation. Countless numbers of refugees from the south and west of the country have made their way to Khartoum in the hopes of escaping the bloodshed and finding food and employment there. A significant number of individuals currently make their homes in slums located on the outskirts of the city.

The Arabs who live in the north of Sudan follow an entirely different way of life than the Africans who live in the south. Language, religion, culture, and even the architecture of the homes are all distinct. The northern Nubians are an African people who have adopted Islam and build their houses out of sun-dried bricks in the shape of rectangular boxes with flat roofs. The Nuban people are a hill farming tribe that can be found in the central part of Sudan. Their homes are circular in shape and have conical roofs made of grass, wood, and millet stalks.

ETHIOPIA

Recent years have brought famine, war, and drought to Ethiopia, a nation that is otherwise exceptionally wealthy in its own distinctive traditions. In 1984 and 1985, the northern highlands were hit by a debilitating famine that was caused by a confluence of factors including civil unrest, drought, overpopulation, and over cultivation. At the time, Ethiopia was in the midst of a protracted and bloody conflict with Eritrea, which didn't come to an end until the year 2000. Four out of every five Ethiopians have some sort of agricultural occupation, such as raising livestock or growing crops like teff, which is a type of grass. Coffee is Ethiopia's primary cash crop and export product. Its name comes from the highlands of Kaffa province, which is also the primary location of its cultivation.

The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Abeba, has a population of approximately 4 million people. It is a city that is expanding rapidly and is currently housing a significant population of refugees who originally came from Eritrea and the north. There is a severe lack of housing, and as a result, more than 20,000 children are forced to live on the streets. Many people make their homes in congested slums that lack access to running water and sanitation facilities. It is not unusual for an entire family of eight to ten members to occupy a single bedroom.

There are many different ethnic groups that make up Ethiopians, and each of these groups has its own language in addition to distinct cultural practices in the areas of music, dance, and storytelling. The stories told through traditional dances come from people's everyday lives. The music and lyrics that are performed alongside these rituals are an important means of transmitting information about the cultures and traditions of the area.

Cutting, carrying, and selling firewood, which is a significant source of both fuel and cash, is typically the responsibility of women. On the other hand, a significant portion of Ethiopia's woodland has been eradicated since then. Because of this, the soil has been blown or washed away because it is no longer sheltered by trees, and as a result, valuable farmland has been lost.

It was in the fourth century when the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was established. The churches carved out of solid rock in the 12th century that are located in the town of Lalibela are its most magnificent monuments. Even though the colorful rites and festivals of the Ethiopian Church share some similarities with those of other Eastern churches and with certain aspects of Jewish tradition, the Ethiopian Church is distinct in its own right. \n

Enjera, a type of soft, flat bread made from teff and typically eaten with a meat and vegetable mixture, is considered to be Ethiopia's national dish. Wot is a scorching and spicy sauce that is used in the preparation of these. In traditional preparation, the sauce is served on top of the enjera. During celebrations, raw beef is typically served with a variety of fiery spices and melted butter.

SOMALIA

The year 1960 marked the year that Somalia achieved its independence from Italy as well as the United Kingdom. Despite its historical significance and cultural diversity, this country has never been at peace. Since 1991, Somalia has been wracked by an ongoing civil war, which has led to an unprecedented level of hunger. A significant portion of the Somali population is comprised of nomadic herders who travel around the arid and harsh landscape with their camels, sheep, and goats in search of food and water.

Since the beginning of the conflict, thousands of Somalis have fled to relief camps in the hope of finding food, a place to shelter themselves, and safety from the fighting. However, as a result of the issues, it has become difficult to deliver international assistance. There are estimates that as many as one million Somalis were forced to flee their country and seek refuge in neighboring countries; however, beginning in 2000 and continuing through 2001, a significant number of Somalis began to return home.

Mogadishu is not only the capital of Somalia but also the most important port and commercial centre of the country. The history of the nation is depicted through the numerous architectural styles that are used in the buildings. In the ninth century, there were people who came from Arab countries to reside there. In the nineteenth century, it was a European colony.

Many Somali women wrap themselves in shawls known as garbasaars and cotton garments known as guntimos, which resemble saris. Somali women are unique among Muslim women worldwide in that the vast majority of Muslim women in other countries do not cover their faces with veils.

Djibouti is a relatively small country that became independent in 1977. The majority of the land there is desert. The majority of its people live nomadic lifestyles. The port of Djibouti and the city that serves as the nation's capital, which is also called Djibouti, are extremely important to this part of Africa. The cash generated from the country's ports drives practically all of the economy.

After a conflict that lasted for 20 years, the mountainous nation of Eritrea successfully separated from its neighbor Ethiopia in the year 1991. Despite this, relations continued to be tense, and a fresh conflict broke out in 1998. The population of Eritrea was left to repair their severely damaged economy after Ethiopian troops finally pulled out of the country in 2001.