The groom poses for a portrait at his wedding in Omdurman, Sudan. In Sudan, announcing a wedding with celebratory gunfire is a tradition. The weapon symbolizes both the joy of marriage and the reality of war.
The war in Sudan has caused widespread destruction, displacing millions of people and triggering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. And yet, as the conflict escalates, plunging the country deeper into despair, many continue to seek normality in the chaos.
In January 2024, the photographer was asked by a friend to document his wedding in Omdurman, a city constantly targeted by airstrikes.
“I was very anxious, as the days were filled with clashes and random shelling, and I feared that this wedding might turn into a tragedy – that we would go from a moment of joy to one of mourning. Fortunately, the wedding went smoothly and simply, with only a few family members and friends who had remained in the city. There were some songs playing under the sound of gunfire.
I took some photos of the bride and groom and captured moments from the wedding, along with some pictures of my friend Abdullah on their rooftop, using the house carpet as a backdrop, so that these moments would remain in our memories. It was a time none of us ever expected to live through.
After sunset, we gathered on the same rooftop, as it was the only place with internet access to receive congratulations from family and friends abroad. With the curfew starting after sunset, we stayed there until morning.
All day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the song by Abdel Karim Al-Kabli – especially the part where he sings, ‘When the drum is beaten, we say the world is still good; here are the people getting married and having fun.’”
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