Is the name of our country racist?
Sudan means land of the blacks
"Sudan is not really a country at all, but many. A composite layers, like a genetic fingerprint of memories that were once fluid, but have since crystallized out from the crucible of possibility" Jamal Mahjoub, a Sudanese novelist
Sudan was the name used for most of Islamic Africa, on the same latitude.
ReplyDeleteMali used to be called French Sudan before 1960.
Genocide is going there right now. Calling them names wont do anything. Action is required.
ReplyDeleteWell, just like you said. Sudan is actually the name of all sub-saharan african lands. Slave Trade was not rampant only in the 19th century. Arabs have known slave trade way longer than that. Even in pre-Islamic arabia (remember antar ibn shadad his mother was a slave also Bilal ibn Rabah). I think the new name was most probably given during colonial times when lands started being divided into their known geographical boundaries of today. Is it racist? I don't know...I guess if u look at it in a way that it defines a whole country solely based on the the color of the majority of its people then yes it is.
ReplyDeleteSudan used to mean a much wider area at one time.
ReplyDeleteMali used to be called French Sudan until 1960.
What a lot I am learning from your blog, Kizzie. Now that I've seen your response to James's comment, I see what you mean in the post.
ReplyDeleteit's according to who you ask Kizzie. Those with racist tendencies would say yes.
ReplyDeleteWhat name would Sudanese choose if they could rename Sudan?...
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it as racist. Though I suppose I always neglected the historical development of this title.
ReplyDeleteI guess the pride in my blackness caused me to embrace it more than neglect it.
But I suppose, non blacks in Sudan would feel that it's racist.
Oh I don't know...