We leave the Karima area to head towards Meroe via the Bayuda desert surrounded by sharp cone-shaped black basalt mountains and bounded by the loop formed by the Nile between the 4th and 6th Cataract. We met some Bisharin nomads who live in small huts built with dry wooden branches close to rare water wells in the desert. The desert has some low lands and wadi where grass and bushes grow and provide pasture for the herds of cattle and camels of these Bisharin people. The specific family we visited belongs to the Bisharin-Hasanya tribe. The men were out at work and we got to meet the women and children of the house.
According to our guide, we are not allowed to take photos at the local markets (mandated by the government) but in more remote places outside of Khartoum, this rule is often not strictly enforced. The locals in the market actually love getting their photos taken and were practically lining up in front of us. Unlike in more touristy places like Egypt or Ethiopia, they do not ask for money in return. All they wanted was to see their image on the screen of the camera. They will give you a big smile and a thumbs up upon seeing their picture and carry on with whatever they were doing or wherever they were going.
Next post will be on the highlight of our trip: Meroe, the latter day capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kush and its numerous pyramids. Stay tuned!
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