Drinking tea in Khartoum, Sudan


  1. AfricaNews
    Amidst all political turmoil, people in Khartoum take their tea in a quiet pace. Africanews.com reporters Reem Abbas and Mohamed ElBadwi show you another Khartoum, with its inhabitants having tea on the side of the road.
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    No one knows when tea ladies first became a staple on the streets of Khartoum. Some think it was after the current government closed down the bars and entertainment centers when they came to power and some think it was the product of rural migrants trying to make ends meet in the capital.

    The size of Khartoum doubled in the last two decades, hundreds of thousands have arrived escaping poverty, war and conflict only to find themselves with no real opportunities in the big city. The men work as builders and do other menial jobs and the women have to invent jobs.

    Cooking once a week for working women, becoming a henna artists, baby-sitting and selling tea for people on the road. Tea-ladies, found in all parts in Khartoum, even inside organizations, cultural centers and universities provide fast and tasty products for very low prices. That is not the only thing they provide. They are also confidantes for young lovers, girls seeking advice, bored government employees, frustrated working women, they listen, smile, pour you another cup of your favorite drink and give you their advice, simple, yet worthwhile.

    In recent years, tea ladies have become important characters in short stories or novels written by young Sudanese writers. In one of Khalid El-Tinae's short stories, the story centers around a tea lady, her past blends with her present as she is connected to every single character in the story.



Reactions

  1. Image of Winnie Leong

    Winnie Leong
    33 berichten
    Lid sinds December 2010
    Kuala Lumpur


    Very cool!

    Drinking tea is also one of the Chinese culture, if you ever visit China, you will know they prefer tea more than normal drinking water. Whenever you go to the restaurant, there will be a free chinese tea. It jsut the culture. Never try the tea at Khartoum, Sudanbut guess should be delicious as well. Geo Lenses


  2. Image of Grantcamack


    3 berichten
    Lid sinds November 2011


    I am looking forward to my trip to the Sudan early next year. We are bring supplies and medicines to a camp there. I am having trouble finding international medical insurance to cover me there though. Evidently it is a risky place to go right not. If I do make it there, I will be sure to try the tea, among other things. I expect this to be a very interesting adventure.


  3. Image of relik


    10 berichten
    Lid sinds March 2012


    I found this post to be very educational. Thank you for broadening my knowledge of this subject. No doubt its a great piece of angina symptoms writing as well. Thanks


  4. Image of lhauri


    116 berichten
    Lid sinds February 2012


    Seems to be an amazing experience for you. I really like it. That is a good job!
    printed t shirts



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