Listen, Read, Watch: Sudan

During our much-needed winter break, we published a series called #ListenReadWatch on Instagram, curated by the afikra community. Each featured one album, one book, and one film from somewhere in the Arab world. It was a way to get recommendations of things to listen, read, and watch during the holidays, and to celebrate some of the best creative minds from across the region and times.

Listen: The King of Sudanese Jazz, Sharhabil Ahmed

“The legend of Sudanese music Sharhabil Ahmed, who earned the title of Sudan’s King of Jazz for his unique style of music, is equally renowned for his art, in particular his cartoon illustrations in the much-loved children’s magazine Al-Sibyan. He is a trailblazer, setting up the first jazz band and which included the first female band member guitarist in Sudan, his wife Zakia. His drive to experiment and innovate continues to this day, most recently in the form of collaborations with other famous African musicians. “

Via Sudan Memory

Read: Bird Summons

“An enchanting, deeply felt portrait of three women searching for freedom, from the three-times Orange Prize longlisted, Scottish Book Award and Caine Prize winner Leila Aboulela. Salma, Moni and Iman are embarking on a road trip to the highlands to pay homage to Lady Evelyn Cobbold, the first British woman convert to Islam to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca. The women are looking for more than a holiday. Each wants to escape her life; each wants an answer.”

Via Leila Aboulela

Watch: Goodbye Julia

“Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, Mona a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage tries to make amends by taking in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home. Unable to confess her transgressions to Julia, Mona decides to leave the past behind and adjust to a new status quo, unaware that the country’s turmoil may find its way into her home and put her face to face with her sins.”

Via maffswe