3 May 2024

Meet Sudanese and South Sudanese Vegans and Vegetarians. Yes, They Exist.

All over the world, there has been a rise in veganism and vegetarianism, mostly out of compassion for animals and a personal responsibility towards sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. It is believed there are at least one billion vegetarians worldwide. Among all the countries, India ranks top with nearly 38% of the population being vegetarian because of the country’s religious beliefs.

And now, the trend has found its way to Sudan and South Sudan. The Sudanese cuisine is meat heavy and a majority of the Sudanese and South Sudanese people are carnivores or meat eaters. However, some Sudanese men and women have found ways to say no to meat. They have chosen to become vegans or vegetarians and have introduced ways to turn popular Sudanese dishes meat-free. 

Vegetarianism and veganism

Vegetarianism is the practice of eating food obtained from plants and abstaining from meat. Veganism was born out of vegetarianism, and vegans not just abstain from eating meat but also all animal products like diary, honey and eggs.

People are drawn to vegetarianism for a multitude of reasons, some of which include religion, ethical motivation, health, environmental conservation, economic factors, dislike of meat and culture.

Vegetarians and vegans generally eat a diet of grains, pulses, nuts and seeds and fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians, who are not vegans, also eat dairy products and eggs but completely abstain from meat, poultry, seafood and animal by-products like gelatine.

There are also other forms of plant-only or herbivore diets such as:

  • Fruitarianism and Jain vegetarianism permit only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant. Jain vegetarianism also includes dairy, but excludes eggs, honey, and root vegetables.
  • Macrobiotic diets consist mostly of whole grains and beans.
  • Lacto vegetarianism includes dairy products but not eggs.
  • Ovo vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy products.
  • Ovo-lacto vegetarianism (or lacto-ovo vegetarianism) includes animal products such as eggs, milk, and honey.
  • Pescetarianism includes fish and possibly other forms of seafood.
  • Pollo-pescetarianism includes poultry and fish, or white meat only.
  • Pollotarianism includes chicken and possibly other poultry.

500 Words Magazine spoke to some Sudanese and South Sudanese vegans and vegetarians from around the world who’ve shared their story about their meat-free lifestyles. Scroll through!

Khalid Salim
Khalid Salim, 32, Filmmaker, based in Qatar. I’ve been vegan for four years. I was triggered by a presentation video organised by the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, and presented by James Wildman titled ‘101 Reasons to Go Vegan’, and ever since I started to watch, and explore more about veganism. And since that time, I found it difficult to consume meat again. I remember the first week was really tough, because I just took the decision without planning for proper vegan alternatives, so I remember I used to have French fries and Falafel three times a day. In which it became boring and tasteless after sometime. Therefore, I started to look for tutorials and vegan recipes and started to hit the kitchen on my own. I come from a very traditional family, where all the family members must gather all together around the tray three times a day and it’s difficult to have your own/ preferred food option most of the time. So it felt unusual when I shared the news with them especially my mom who thought it’s because I don’t like her cooking. I usually start my day with a bowl of oats covered with coconut milk, and some dried fruits followed by a cup of green tea. Later I either have hummus, or foul for lunch served with whole wheat bread (I try my best to exclude gluten as well). And for dinner, I always try something new, depending on what’s available in my fridge. I’m still struggling to fit in as a vegan. First of all, people will try to prove you’re wrong instead of accepting your choice. Whenever we gather around for dinner especially in Ramadan, or in social events, I find myself arguing with one of them, and by the time we are done my appetite will be ruined. Besides the social restrictions of respecting and accepting alternative lifestyles, one of the main challenges is the limited vegan options in Sudanese cuisine, and that’s because of Sudan’s huge animal wealth. I always do my best to let people know about veganism whenever I have the chance. So far, I succeeded in changing the point of view, and influenced a couple of friends. But I don’t think it’s my duty to convert people towards what I believe. Through a film I directed called ‘Veganize it’, I shared my story of how I decided to became a vegan. The film is an accumulation of my experiences and the challenges I had to face in order to fit my new lifestyle within my Sudanese, African community. Since meat is an essential element of Sudanese cuisine, choosing to be a vegan or vegetarian in such communities is considered an insult.
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  • M Elsir
    1 October 2018 at 3:26 pm - Reply

    V.Interesting
    And all my life was thinking who ever not eating meets has a health problems only