Nuba Poems
The Land of Kush
By Kamal El Nur Dawud
From your sky, Oh Sudan, comes the name of generations
Land of Kush, in which two rivers run.
In the name of God, creator of the people of Sudan
History will go on, and the future will be made.
False identity and nationality were imposed on us.
The cause of humanity does not accept scepticism or denial
Sudan is known to be the land of blacks.
Those who lack ambition don't deserve to have land.
Why is land changed from African origin to Arab one?
From the boundaries of Kush arise two lions.
Our grandfathers, Baankhi and Tihraga, then came their descendants.
History is said to have started from that time onwards
We have a say in our land, using both our hands and our tongue.
Those who retreat deserve to be branded as cowards.
Our rights are just, and those of our enemy are not.
From your sky, Oh Sudan, comes the name of generations.
I still remember you, Karmal, the land of brides.
Nabta and Dongola El Ajuz reflect two faces
That's Saoba, a weapon with two blades
And that's Maggarat represented by two lions
From your sky, Oh Sudan, comes the name of generations
From now onwards, Baggat treaty will be broken
There will be no injustice, no slavery in the arena
On you who live in caves, paying no attention
The day has come to teach the enemy a lesson.
A Return to the Mother
by Mohamed Ibrahim Kambal on his return to the Nuba Mountains, April 1995
With mixed and emotions
We left Nairobi on our way to the inside—to Sudan
To the high mountains
When we crossed the border
the boundaries melted and the eyes flooded with tears
Eyes and quietness are eloquent expression
Suddenly the car stuck in the mud
The rain poured heavily
Zeal and enthusiasm on the faces
All rushed into the car
Happiness is a crown for victory
We were a coherent group
We all made a united group
and no-one could conceal his enthusiasm
until we reached the mountains.
It was a climax
The return home
To the people of the land
Barefoot and naked
Some are hungry
Some are sick
But hearts are full of compassion
That is expressed by the warm welcome
Chants, songs, dances and cheers
Trumpets, palm leaf stalks, water gourds
Nothing—but love
With love and open hearts we are welcomed
What are we going to do—
Towards these magnificent, innocent people!
We have nothing to pay—but tears
As a price for meeting these wonderful people
Children, women, elderly, youth
Men, animals and the kindness
It is the mother
Who is always pleased with the return of her children
Who never keeps her compassion and love from them
Without any reward—only the return
So, why not give thanks for this.
Mohamed Kambal is a former chief air traffic controller at Khartoum airport
and active trade unionist. Among his many accomplishments was closing
Sudanese airspace on 6 April 1995 to prevent the return of former President
Jaafar Nimeiri. A native of Kadugli, Mohamed decided to return to the Nuba
Mountains in 1995. He is now Information Officer with NRRDS and a member
of the SPLM South Kordofan Advisory Council.