I was scrolling on TikTok the other day when I came across a video of a Sudanese guy reciting a poem about Sudan, and it was so beautiful that I decided to share it with all of you (will link the video at the end).
I am from where kids smile sweet
And Niles meet,
Where the sun always shines
And grandfathers tell tales of golden times,
And grandmothers say prayers that always rhyme,
I am from that tigayliyyah* and robe**,
And women wrapped in tobes***,
Hands scented with sandalwood and sesame,
And henna for decor,
And everyone got an idea or a plan,
That would fix Sudan for sure,
I am from where people still sleep outside,
And stars still fill the sky,
And family ties are still a notion deep enthroned,
Meals are never ate alone,
And kids chase cars to welcome people home,
And your cousins stay trying to keep your clothes and run your phone,
Because we are all family folk and kin of sun coated skin,
And five hundred is about where your family count begins,
I'm from where people's dreams are worldwide,
And go way beyond the country where they reside,
If only because home is beautiful and broke,
And so to survive they have to leave by any means by any token,
Gotta run away, can't stay .. They just pray, for better days.
* and ** are names of Sudanese foods.
*** Name of tradiational Sudanese clothes for women.
TikTok Video Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@ammaralshukry/video/7106310807272803630