The Culture of Tea in Darfur

Tea, whether prepared at home or in one of the many tea stalls scattered across, is an essential component of life in Darfur. In this region of Sudan, as in other parts of the world, tea is a regular fixture at almost every meal.

By Hamid Abdulsalam

Tea is a national drink in Sudan, and holds a special position in the customs and tradition of the Sudanese. As Sudanese, the people of Darfur cherish tea drinking as an essential part of their daily lives. Usually most Darfuris say that one cannot function without a morning cup of tea. In the afternoon, tea is considered to be both refreshment and a relief to the body.

According to historians, tea, which is widely known in Arabic as Shai, was first introduced to Sudan by the Arabs through trading and also by the British, who ruled the country during the colonial era. As a result of these and other influences, tea has become an essential aspect of Sudanese culture, and is widely taken at every meal or special occasion.

A great deal of prestige is attached to the drinking of tea by Darfuris, to the extent that people here have coined the phrase Haflat Shai, which, when translated into English, signifies a “tea ceremony.” Such ceremonies are organized for special occasions, such as to celebrate a newly wedded couple. In a tea ceremony for newlyweds, for example, friends and family contribute money and give gifts.