A mass wedding featuring unique tribal traditions was held near the Sudanese capital of Khartoum despite the difficult humanitarian situation, as fighting in the country continues, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The event was hosted in the town of Shandi, 150 kilometers north of Khartoum, where no fighting has taken place to date.
"Shandi, like most parts of Nile province, is home to the Jaalin tribe, known among Sudanese for their courage, generosity and hospitality," said local resident Mazen Wadd al-Zein.
He noted that "wedding celebrations in the Jaalin tribe, especially in the Shandi region, observe rituals and ceremonies not elsewhere known in Sudan."
"One of the most notable traditions is the performance of songs glorifying courage and a dance, during which some participants hit the groom's relatives and friends on the back with a whip," he stressed.
The dance symbolizes bravery and resilience in the face of pain, often leaving participants with visible scars - whiplash must not be avoided and must be met with standing still, Wadd al-Zein told a reporter.
On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese regular afmy and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, with the epicenter located in Khartoum. The parties have introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires since then, but the conflict has not been settled yet. On Thursday, the sides agreed to extend the current ceasefire for another 72 hours.
According to Sudan’s Health Ministry, around 600 people have died in the clashes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 450 dead and more than 4,000 injured.