On Sudanese Education in the Past
Title: C8LSA16
Tracking ID: C8LSA16
Language: Arabic, Sudanese
Skill: Listening
Proficiency Level: 2+/3
Functional Objective: Demonstrate your comprehension
Topic: Science/Technology
Items
Explanations
‫هى هى‬ayeH ayeH
It is the same
‫اساتذة المعين‬neHmaLH zHtyyA
Shining teachers- The expression
here used figuratively to mean
prominent teachers
‫معاملة‬ameHtHaH FamlamayeH
‫فولكلورية‬
Viewed as Folkloric interest
‫الثالوث‬namAHammmA
The triple
‫النازلة الكبرى‬naAHLaaH nalanaH
The grave calamity
‫النشطة‬naAHeAmH naalmaeHnaH
‫االقتصادية‬
The economic activity
‫رمى فى البحر‬rHtH la Ha nHAa
Threw it[ the gun] in to the river
Content: This is a discussion about the old system of education in Sudan.
Notes:
1. The Funj Sultanate, also known as the Sinar Kingdom, was founded around 1504 AD, and ruled the middle
of the Sudan, or the regions of the Blue and White Niles and the upper reaches of the Nile proper, from the
16th century to 1820, when the Turco-Egyptian invasion put an end to it. Before the coming of the Funj, the
Sudanese were Christians in the main and animists for many centuries. Their system of education was founded
on Christian values and centered in churches and monasteries. The Greek alphabet was used in teaching.
Islam began to trickle in from the north (Egypt) and across the Red Sea, from around the 12th century onward,
and the Funj rulers adopted it as state religion, and Arabic as the language of their court. Education was
affected in terms of language and curriculum through the influx into the country of Islamic missionaries and
Kuranic teachers, and the receding of the Church and Christian evangelism, as the language now became
Arabic. The Turco-Egyptian invasion of 1820 and their rule afterwards brought great hardship to the people.
Consequently, the Sudanese revolted in 1885 and drove the Egyptians out of the country.
http://search.globescope.com/sudan/index.php?page=history-of-the-sudan
2. To listen to the remainder of the interview with Dr. Jafar Mirgani, go to:
http:// www.sudanradio.info/arabic/modules/news/
Select audacity library /Focus on Sudanese Civilization/ Education before the Funj
Prompts
Model responses
Hints
What is the purpose of the
discussion?
The purpose of the discussion is
to enlighten listeners all over the
world as to the system and
conditions of education in Sudan
before, during, and after the Funj
kingdom.
What issues are in the focus of
the discussion? Consider the time
period under discussion. Read the
Notes for background information.
How, according to the speaker,
did the system of education in
Sudan develop in various
periods?
There was a well-established
national system of education
based on Greek methodology
before the coming of the Funj in
the 16th century. The system
continued during the Funj with
changes in language and
curriculum, but was ruined when
Sudan lost its independence.
Consider the speaker's references
to prominent teachers of the time
before and during the Funj era.
What happened in 1820? Visit the
Learn More section for
information about the teachers of
the past and about the events of
1820. For more information on
Funj see the Notes and Learn
More sections.
What is the speaker's opinion
about the old Sudanese
educational system?
The speaker reminds the listeners
that Sudan produced prominent
educationalists, the spread of
education was noticeable and the
conditions of schools before 1820
was much better in Sudan than in
Europe. He is saddened by the
fact that while Europe learned
from its rich educational
experience, Sudanese people do
not know about their heritage and
do not take it seriously.
What comparisons with the West
does the speaker make ?
How does the speaker evaluate
the impact of the Turco-Egyptian
invasion on the educational
system of Sudan?
The speaker argues that the
Turco-Egyptian invasion took
control away from Sudan in three
major areas which had ensured
national development:
administration, trade and
education. As a result of foreign
rule, there was a decline in trade
and a deterioration in education.
Consider why the speaker calls
the Mohammed Ali Pasha's
campaign "a grief"? Note Khedive
Sa'id's reaction to what he saw
during his visit to Sudan. For
information about Mohammed Ali
Pasha and Khedive Sa'id, see the
Learn More section.
What is the speaker's main
argument?
The speaker argues that the
Sudanese educational system
has a rich and valuable history,
and that this heritage should be
studied and used in modern
curricula.
What does the speaker say about
the Sudanese educational
heritage?
How would you describe the tone
of the speaker?
The speaker's tone is concerned ,
when he speaks about the
disregard of the Sudanese to the
native educational heritage, and
bitter when he speaks of the
impact of Mohammed Ali's
campaign against Sudan.
Consider how the speaker
conveys his attitude when he
speaks about the Sudanese
heritage and the Turco- Egyptian
invasion.
Category: Background Information
1. The word Funj historically refers to both the rulers and the people of the Funj Kingdom. In Sinar region of
Sudan today, one can find the Funj people still.
2. Farah Tuktok, who is better known as Sheikh Farah Wad Tuktok, was a Muslim mullah, or holy man, who
lived during the Funj Kingdom. Many legends and miraculous stories are told about him. Sheikh Farah Wad
Tuktok is told to have made many predictions about the future which came true.
3. Abdulaziz Abdulmageed was an Egyptian scholar and educationist who researched and wrote extensively on
the history of education in Sudan.
4. The Muhammad Ali Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of Egypt and Sudan from the 19th to the mid-20th
centuries. It is named after its progenitor, Muhammad Ali Pasha, who is regarded as the founder of modern
Egypt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_Dynasty
5. Muhammad Ali, 1769?–1849, was the pasha of Egypt after 1805. He modernized his armed forces and
administration, created schools, and began many public works, particularly irrigation projects. The cost of these
reforms bore heavily on the peasants and brought them few benefits. With his son, Ibrahim Pasha, Muhammad
Ali sent armies to conquer Sudan in 1820.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0834351.html
6. Khedive Sa'id Pasha is a grandson of Mohammad Ali Pasha and was the ruler of Egypt and Sudan (18541863).