Armenians in Sudan

There is an Armenian community in the Sudan estimated to be less than one thousand Armenians. Most are concentrated in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Today Sudanese Armenians number about 50 people.[1]

Armenians in Sudan

Total population
50-1,500
Regions with significant populations
Khartoum
Languages
Armenian
Religion
Armenian Apostolic
Related ethnic groups
Armenians in Ethiopia

Sudan's Armenian community had its own church, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church (in Armenian Sourp Krikor Lousavoritch).[2] It is under the jurisdiction of the See of Holy Echmiadzin. As of 2009, there are not as many Armenians in Khartoum, Sudan. Most of Sudana Hyes (armenian: "Sudanese Armenians") have moved, to the U.S. and parts of Europe.

The Armenian Club was huge, and had its own indoor gathering hall, and an outdoor dance hall with a full restaurant kitchen, a play stage, soccer field, and basketball court, also billiards rooms, and a very large swimming pool. It was a place where so many families used to gather nightly and have dinner and at times the Sudana Hye community would invite singers from the U.S. like Adiss amongst others. As the weather was very hot in Sudan, they would mostly stay outdoors at the Armenian Club and have dinner and the kids would play together. The club although it is still there, it has been given back to the Sudanese. As there are not as many Armenians as before in the country to visit the facility.

The Armenian church also had an Armenian school. There would always be events at the school where the kids would practice poetry and sing Armenian songs. They learned Armenian as well as Arabic. The community was very tight and bonded. Many that left Sudan, wished the country was in a better state so that they could go back to the simple life and enjoy the kind, down to earth Sudana Hyes that once made Sudan their home.

References

1. Հայ համայնքը նոսրանում է Սուդանում Archived May 31, 2011, at the Wayback Machine in Armenians Today
2. Armeniapedia: Armenian Churches in Africa