Languages of SudanThe nationally recognised dialect of Sudan is Arabic. Though there are many traditional languages of Sudan, the languages can be broken up into three groups Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan and Niger-Congo.
Afro-Asiatic
Arabic- there is a large project for Arabic to replace ethnic groups traditional languages. Beja- this language is spoken 1.8 million people, mainly in the northern regions. Hausa- this is only spoken by about 80,000 people in the west of Sudan. Nilo-Saharan These languages dominate the south of Sudan up to Khartoum. Dinka- this is the largest language in this group spoken 3 million people. Nuer- this language is spoken in the southeastern regions near Ethiopia by 100,000 people. Fur- this language is native to the Darfur region. Nubian- is classed as an independent language and is spoken in the north near Egypt. Shilluk- is spoken by 600,000 people west of the White Nile. Bari- this is the major language of the southernmost part of Sudan. Niger-Congo Zande- is the largest language of this category as it is also spoken in other countries. Fulani- this is spoken by 120,000 in the north of Sudan and spreads across the borders into other African countries. |
Education in SudanA western education system wasn't established in Sudan until the 20th century. In the southern areas of Sudan the schools are run by local law enforcement due to the civil war, which means that resources and educational programs are poorly supplied. Sudan has struggled with maintaining enough qualified teachers. In 1990, Islam became a huge part of the education system meaning students had to participate in military and Arabic studies to be able to move on the university. The education system in Sudan is quite poor with the country only spending $130 per capita, this means they are among the top countries spending little on the education system. Though the education system is poorly supported the literacy of the country has reached 60%.
School is completely free and compulsory in Sudan but still struggles to maintain student attendance with primary schools sitting at 46% and high schools sitting at 21%. Though student attendance has improved since 1950 with only 150,000 student attending to now 2 million students. Boys usually attend school from ages 5 to 19, whereas girls will usually only attend from ages 5 to 10 this is because it in believed through customs that it is more important for woman to learn domestic skills. Though this has changed over time again with there being a woman's university. |
Religions of Sudan
When looking at the religions of Sudan 70% are Muslim, 25% follow traditional indigenous beliefs and 5% follow Christianity. Islam dominates the north of Sudan with about 90% of the inhabitants following these beliefs. The traditional indigenous beliefs of Sudan fall under Animism, this means they believe that all natural beings have a spirit. Individual clans will have a totem to represent their main spirit belief, which will be worshipped. They will also worship less important gods depending on what that god represents, animal sacrifice is a large part of their worshiping process. Christianity is only really seen in areas where missionaries are doing work.
References
Paul, L. (2015). Ethnologue languages of the word: Sudan. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from www.ethnologue.com/country/SD
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Education. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.education.htm
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Languages. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.languages.htm
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Religion. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.religion.htm
Advameg. (2015). Countries and their cultures. Retrieved August 26, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Sudan.html
World Bank. (2012, September 13). Building an Education system in South Sudan [Video File}. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yshxqVVxNAE
Paul, L. (2015). Ethnologue languages of the word: Sudan. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from www.ethnologue.com/country/SD
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Education. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.education.htm
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Languages. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.languages.htm
Kjeilen, T. (Unknown). Religion. Retrieved August 27, 2015, from looklex.com/e.o/sudan.religion.htm
Advameg. (2015). Countries and their cultures. Retrieved August 26, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Sudan.html
World Bank. (2012, September 13). Building an Education system in South Sudan [Video File}. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yshxqVVxNAE