STORY: Sudan's war affects major Ramadan traditions
SHOOTING TIME: March 11, 2024
DATELINE: March 12, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:19
LOCATION: Khartoum
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the preparation of Hulu-murr
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAWAL HAROUN, Sudanese housewife
3. various of the preparation of Hulu-murr
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): DAWLAT OMER, Sudanese housewife
5. various of the preparation of Hulu-murr
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NAWAL HAROUN, Sudanese housewife

STORYLINE:
 
The prolonged conflict in Sudan and its economic fallout have significantly impacted traditional Ramadan customs.
   
Many families in the capital, Khartoum, have been unable to engage in customary festivities, such as the preparation of Hulu-murr.
   
Hulu-murr, a mixture primarily made of sorghum flour and various spices, holds significant cultural importance during Ramadan.
   
Nawal Haroun, a 46-year-old housewife from the Al-Inqaz neighborhood, emphasized the cultural significance of Hulu-murr.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAWAL HAROUN, Sudanese housewife
"Hulu-murr is a traditional soft drink. Despite the adversities of war and economic strain, we have tried to produce limited quantities of the drink."

Dawlat Omar, a 42-year-old resident of the Al-Nahda neighborhood, echoed similar sentiments, lamenting the subdued atmosphere of this Ramadan.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): DAWLAT OMER, Sudanese housewife
"The current living conditions are very difficult compared to previous years. This year we miss the gathering of the relatives for making Hulu-murr."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): NAWAL HAROUN, Sudanese housewife
"People should try the best they can to keep the brightness of Ramadan. Our family is big, but we had to cook a small quantity of Hulu-murr, because of the hard living conditions."

Sudan has been mired in deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023. Recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs suggest that more than 13,000 lives have been lost since the outbreak of violence.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Khartoum.
(XHTV)