Where To Find the Sudanese Archive?

Introduction:

The absence of documentation has contributed to the burial of many historical narratives that emerged within the Sudanese context. This lack has led to a limited understanding and insight into history, as well the lives of various communities in Sudan. Which fostered the dominance of certain narratives or perceptions — some accurate, others not — resulting in continuous confusion in understanding Sudan as a “we”, an entity that thinks independently and belongs to its own context.

Certainly, the modern state bears the responsibility of archiving. However, in our context, the state emerged as an “inserted” structure within society, reinforcing specific techniques and methods in imposing documentation and preserving and reproducing information in history. The policies of modernity have contributed to distancing archival institutions from the societal context, restricting them to the “official” narrative. This has created a gap between archival institutions and a society deeply rooted in oral traditions, where memories and stories are preserved within social discourse rather than formal documentation.

In Sudan, politics and history have always been subjects of constant conflict and wide interest. We are still in a country whose history is shaped by the continuity of its conflicts — meaning we are facing a canvas whose elements are formed with the blood of its people. This is evident in the way that, whenever history is expected to conclude, new moments of conflict emerge. This conflict extends not only to the history itself or to those who committed the “sin of the moment” but also to the manner of its documentation and the spaces in which it is preserved.

Perhaps April 15, 2023, stands as the harshest moment for the memory and archive of Sudanese people, especially the personal archives that were developed independently of modern institutions. The war and displacement t destroyed family archives that had preserved the memory of the city.

This article attempts to explore the archive within the Sudanese context — its formation and institutions. It is based on the hypothesis that the Sudanese archive is shaped by the concept of “conflict and contestation,” where narratives are built from positions of division and fragmentation. There is no shared archival space that unites people — whether communities, the state, or even those working in archiving. This claim may seem bold, but it emerges from our lived reality in both societal and institutional settings, and the extent of the institutions’ connection to and effectiveness within the community. Therefore, the article puts forward the notion that the archive is, in many ways, a “foreign” concept in the Sudanese context.

However, there is still a form of authenticity in Sudanese archival institutions. Despite the neglect they have suffered, they continue to resist — even in the context of a war that consumes history.

Where Do We Find the Sudanese Archive?

The official Sudanese archive can be found in several government institutions responsible for preserving the state’s official memory. Despite the succession of different governments, these institutions have maintained their presence. Notably, in 2023, the state declared it the “Year of Museums.”

The National Records Office houses approximately 3 million historical documents related to Sudan’s history and major families. These documents date back to distant periods in Sudanese social history, including records of some Islamic kingdoms that existed before the modern state’s formation.

The Sudan National Records Office was established in 1916, when the British administration decided to create a bureau to collect and organize financial documents to facilitate the governance of a vast and sprawling country. In the 1920s, its focus expanded to include legal papers and correspondence. By 1948, the British administration had established the “Sudan Archives Office,” overseen by the “Sudan Archives Committee.” This institution, in addition to official documents, collected private records from individuals and families.

A portion of the Sudanese archival effort has also been preserved within museums. Though limited in number, the Sudanese state has worked on developing several museums that contribute to building a historical narrative.

Prewar, there were 24 active museums in Sudan, with 8 more proposed. Among the most significant museums showcasing important aspects of Sudan’s social and political history are:

• Sudan National Museum – Khartoum:
  The largest museum in Sudan, located on Nile Street near the Friendship Hall, has its main entrance facing the Blue Nile near the confluence of the Nile rivers. Its establishment began in the 1960s, and it officially opened its doors to the public in 1971. It features exhibits from all over Sudan reflecting various civilizations — from the Stone Age through the Nubian and Christian periods to the Islamic era.
  
• Presidential Palace Museum:
  One of Khartoum’s most important museums, housing historical artifacts from the Presidential Palace during different eras of Sudan’s modern history. It also includes various archaeological and heritage items. It is the first museum to focus on the possessions of Sudan’s rulers from 1884 to 2007 and was officially opened on December 31, 1999.
  
• Khalifa House Museum – Omdurman:
  Located in Omdurman in a historically significant area from the Mahdist State period. It was once the residence of Khalifa Abdullahi Al-Ta’aishi, the successor of the Mahdist revolution’s leader, Imam Muhammad Ahmad Al-Mahdi. It was built in 1887 by Italian architect Pietro, a two-story extension was added in 1891. The house became a museum in 1928 it is home to a rare collection of artifacts from the Mahdist period as well as items from before that era.

Sudan’s diverse archives represent a living collective memory that records the country’s rich history and multifaceted heritage. These archives vary from academic and modern digital repositories to visual arts and specialized collections, each playing a vital role in preserving the past and facilitating an understanding of the present. Foremost among these is the “Sudan Archive at Durham University”, one of the most important documentary collections on the British colonial period in Sudan (1898–1956). It contains government administrative records, personal papers of British officials, historical photographs, and recordings, making it an indispensable primary resource for researchers studying colonial history and Anglo-Sudanese relations.  

Another key institution is the “Sudan Archaeological Research Society”, which focuses on excavation reports, studies of historical sites, and documents on architectural heritage, serving as a crucial reference for archaeologists and scholars of ancient Sudanese civilizations, particularly the Kingdoms of Kush and Meroe.  

In the realm of modern digital archives, the “Sudan Memory” Project stands out as a pioneering initiative in digitizing Sudanese heritage. It offers thousands of categorized digital documents, forgotten audiovisual materials, and a user-friendly search interface, making Sudanese heritage globally accessible without geographical restrictions. Similarly, the “Sudan Open Archive” follows an open-access policy, featuring a growing collection of historical materials and advanced research tools, supporting the free knowledge movement and enabling amateur historians to contribute to social history. Equally noteworthy is the “Sudan Tapes Archive”, specializing in rare audio recordings such as interviews with historical figures, vintage radio broadcasts, and rare folk songs, preserving endangered oral history and serving journalists and artists seeking authentic materials.  

Visual and artistic archives hold a special place in safeguarding Sudanese heritage. “The Photographic Heritage Project”, for instance, offers family photos reflecting daily life, visual documentation of social changes, and historical personal albums, providing a perspective on social history beyond official narratives. Meanwhile, the “Sudan Art Archive” focuses on fine art, biographies of Sudanese artists, and modern and contemporary art movements in Sudan, enhancing critical art studies and promoting Sudanese creativity worldwide. 

Specialized archives further enrich this comprehensive archival landscape. “The Small Arms Survey – Sudan Archive” provides analyses of armed conflicts, data on arms flows, and case studies on conflict zones, making it an essential resource for policymakers and peacebuilding practitioners. Additionally, the “Historical Photography Archive at the History Department of University of Khartoum” works to preserve national visual memory, document historical landmarks, and protect archival materials from deterioration, ensuring the survival of vital primary sources for future generations and supporting architectural restoration projects.  

Together, these archives form a knowledge network that preserves Sudanese identity in all its diversity and richness. Their utility varies according to users’ needs: academic researchers rely on scholarly and specialized archives as primary sources, while visual and digital archives offer rich materials for journalists crafting news stories. Educators can use these resources to enrich curricula, and the general public can engage with heritage and identity through them. With technological advancements, archives are moving toward greater digitization and collaboration, expanding accessibility and transforming these collections from static repositories into dynamic, interactive platforms. However, this requires sustained institutional and community support to ensure they remain a source of inspiration for future generations.