Growing up in Darfur by Prof.Abdullahi ElTom
It is a story of an ambitious man who grew up in a civilized community. Civilized: because it has a vital social, economic, and political organization and religious life. These systems and traditions are stated in the novel as activities that normally and naturally practised by the members of that community; division of labour is essential in family life; “all children are dead silent listening to their parents discussing their plans for the day. It is important for them to listen carefully as it is now that all duties of the day are assigned. Alfatih is to go and open the shop…Saaeed is to release the goats and cows …Mahasin has to clean the teapots and glasses and complete sweeping the house yard. Neimat is to clean the pigeons’ cottage…” Politically, there is a local leader who rules the whole are with sub rulers under him, “ For uncle Ali is the most important man in the district. Mohammed says he is the chief just because his title is shartay but he is not right. Shartay...