Sudan 1924



In the arid expanse of Sudan in 1924, a time when the world was still navigating the aftermath of the Great War, CSM Drummond captured a photograph that would later serve as a window into a distant, yet significant moment in history. The photograph, a black-and-white image worn by time, reveals a cluster of traditional Sudanese huts, their conical thatched roofs rising like ancient pyramids against a vast, unforgiving landscape.

These huts, constructed from stone and mud, are a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the local people. They are modest, yet they embody a sense of permanence, standing strong against the backdrop of a sprawling sky, where clouds gather in soft, rolling formations. The land surrounding the huts is barren, save for a few scattered tools and a solitary stone slab that lies in the foreground, hinting at the everyday labours that sustain this remote community.

In the left of the frame, a lone figure stands, almost blending into the rugged terrain. The figure is likely a local villager, dressed in traditional attire, their presence adding a human element to the otherwise stark landscape. This person seems to be engaged in the daily routines of life, perhaps preparing for the tasks that the day would demand. The simplicity of the scene belies the complexities of the time—a period marked by colonial influences and the struggles of a nation seeking its identity.

CSM Drummond, a man of the British military, was likely stationed in Sudan as part of the British-Egyptian condominium, a joint rule established at the turn of the century. His role would have been multifaceted, involving not only military duties but also interactions with the local populations, observing and documenting the land and its people. This photograph, though perhaps one of many, captures a moment of quietude amidst the broader narrative of imperial presence and local life.

The image speaks to the intersection of cultures—an outsider looking in, capturing a slice of life that is at once foreign and familiar. It serves as a reminder of the human stories that unfold in even the most remote corners of the world, stories that are shaped by the land, the people, and the ever-present influence of history. Through Drummond's lens, we are offered a glimpse into a Sudan that is both distant and enduring, a place where the past lingers in the present, and where every structure, every person, and every landscape tells a story waiting to be heard.


 

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