Date varieties in dar al-manasir

Date Varieties in Dar al-Manasir

The Manasir are renown in Sudan for cultivating a wide range of date palm trees. Any small farming household tends to grow a variety of dates in order to be less vulnerable both to annually changing market prices and diseases affecting only specific types (cf. LEACH 1919:104, SALIH 1999:260).

The Manasir are very proud of the taste, sweetness and nourishing merits of their dates and believe that theses originate from their rocky land containing special minerals (cf. SALIH 1999:48). The dates of Dar al-Manasir compare well with dates of other regions in Sudan, although earlier reports qualify them as being of inferior quality not fetching the market price of fruits from (Old) Halfa and Dongola (cf. JACKSON 1926:8).

Date varieties and the average wholesale price during the harvest season 2004:
(Sudanese Dinar per sack [Shawal, شوال – at about 75kg; 1 Shawal = 15 Rub' (ربع) = litres 123.75, cf. CORKILL 1948:126]):

(prices reported by Al-Tayyb Babikir Ahmad Muhammad from Mideimir (الطيّب بابكر أحمد محمّد من مديمر), local peasant who studied agriculture for4½ years in Halfa al-Gadidah.)

Mishriq (مشرق):

Mishriq dates are the most common and cherished variety in Dar al-Manasir. Two types are differentiated; Wad Laqai and the more common Wad Khatib, formerly also called Umm Laqai and Umm Khatib (cf. JACKSON 1926:8). Both types are non-Nubian and originate in the area (cf. AL-HAKEM 1993:6).
Mishriq trees require more watering than other palm trees.

Wad Laqai (ود لقاي):

The Wad Laqai type is found more in the upstream end of Dar al-Manasir and in the neighbouring Rubatab Country around Abu Hammed. According to YUSIF (1995:274) its full name is al-Mashriq Walid Laqai (المشرق ولد لقاي) which would literally translate to "the East of the son of Laqai". The author further states that this variety was introduced by the son of a person called Laqai, who imported it from Higaz in Saudi Arabia where the dates are called Sukari (السكري). It is supposed to have been introduced to Sudan in the vicinity of the Island of Muqrat.
Wad Laqai is considered to be one of the finest date fruits of dates in Sudan with an unrivalled softness and fresh taste. Some older Manasir still prefer to drink their tea along with a handful of Wad Laqai dates as the traditional sugar substitute. The fruits should be left to dry on the tree, because of difficulties removing the ripe ones without making adjacent ones from the same bunch (Shakhlub, شخلوب) fall off prematurely. Another peculiarity of the Wad Laqai type is that its fruits should not be pollinated before reaching its green stage called Dafiq (دفيق), (cf. Date Cultivation in Dar al-Manasir).
The fruits are soft in consistency and can be pressed to form a cake called 'Agwah (عجوة). The sample fruits are short (about 3 cm), compact (width about 1.5 cm) and are of reddish colour. According to YUSIF (1995:274) its fruits can also become rather oblong reaching the span of an index finger.
The leaves of Wad Laqai are wide and sweeping. The shape of the tree is similar to the Qundeil variety.

Wad Khatib (ود ختيب):

Wad Khatib is the type of Mishriq palm trees best adapted to the stony and often shallow soil of the Fourth Cataract region. YUSIF (1995:274) recalls that Wad Khatib had been introduced from Saudi Arabia by a man from Higaz called Bashir bin Khatib (بشير بن خطيب), apparently a descendent of Imam al-Shafi'i (رجل من الشوفعة). Wad Khatib is the most common variety of date trees in Dar al-Manasir and the neighbouring Rubatab Country.
The quality of Wad Khatib dates is generally inferior to Wad Laqai dates. Wad Khatib trees are recommended to be pollinated ahead of the Wad Laqai type. Part of their harvest is traditionally used for local alcohol production.
The sample fruits are even shorter and appear less reddish in colour than those of Wad Laqai. The perianth of their fruits is stronger attached to the spikelets of the fruit bunch.
The appearance of the Wad Khatib palm tree differs to the other Mishriq type mainly by having slightly broader leaves.

Barakawi (بركاوي):

Barakawi dates are nowadays by many Manasir considered to be the most profitable date variety. Barakawi trees are increasingly planted on the Saqia land, traditionally reserved exclusively for seasonally irrigated crops. Barakawi are highly demanded on the national market and, according to YUSIF (1995:274) are even exported to Egypt where they are also referred to as Ibrimi (ابريمي) and Sakuti (سكوتي). Barakawi are not among the most common palm trees in Dar al-Manasir, but their number increases considerably towards the downstream end and in the neighbouring Shaiqiya Country with a centre of cultivation in the area of Karima. Further YUSIF (1995:274) states that Barakawi dates had been introduced from Mahas and the Shaiqiya Country through Dar al-Manasir to the Rubatab Country in the beginning of the 20th century (cf. JACKSON 1926:8).
The sample fruits are elongated, their proportions with about 5 cm length and 1.5 cm width being slightly longer than and not as thin as the average 'Abid Rahim variety. Their deep reddish-brown colour changes from the centre of the fruits towards the perianth into a light yellow discolouration.
Barakawi trees are among the taller varieties of palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

'Abid Rahim (عبد رحيم):

The 'Abid Rahim variety is favoured in Eastern Sudan. Their dates should not be consumed in high quantities since they can cause flatulence.
The sample fruits are distinguishable from the otherwise comparable Barakawi type by being longer (about 6 cm), thinner (1 – 1.5 cm) and lighter in weight. Their colour varies from a light yellow to reddish-brown.
'Abid Rahim trees are tall and potentially produce the highest quantity of harvest compared to other varieties in Dar al-Manasir. The shape of the palm is somewhat confined with their leaves more upright.

Bur (بور):

The Bur variety exists only in the region of the Fourth Cataract (cf. YUSIF 1995:275, SALIH 1999:48). Bur palm trees, along with the Bireir and Qundeil varieties are only producing a limited quantity of harvest because a good share of their fruits are falling prematurely off the trees during the early stages of growth. Due to this unfavourable characteristic the number of cultivated Bur trees remains limited.
Bur dates are easily distinguishable from other date types by their nearly black colour. The sample fruits appear well proportioned, about 4 cm long and fleshy. Bur dates can be eaten both fresh and dry, but should be consumed only in small amounts.
Bur trees are among the tallest palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

Bireir (برير):

Bireir trees, alike the Mishriq and Bur varieties are of non-Nubian origin (cf. AL-HAKEM 1993:6). Their fruits are praised for their quality, the flesh closing firmly upon the seed thereby keeping soft and juicy for a long time. Their taste is attributed to be "hot" that is to say very sweet and tasty. YUSIF (1995:277) quotes a local saying from the neighbouring Rubatab Country, by which a bird feeding too much on dates from the Bireir variety would suffer from a dry stomach eventually causing it to drop dead from the sky. Bireir dates like Wad Laqai dates can be sold as a compressed cake called 'Agwah (عجوة). Bireir dates are also traditionally used for the production of local wine (خمور).
YUSIF (1995:279) differentiates four varieties of the Bireir type in the neighbouring Rubatab Country;

1. Madini (المديني), similar to Mishriq and mother to the Bar Tamud type (بر تمود)
   
2. Barni (برني), allegedly introduced from Medina (Saudi Arabia) by Sheikh Mohammed bin al-Gazuli (شيخ محمّد بن الجزولي)
3. Kullimah (الكلّمة), similar to the Qundeil variety but more circular and bigger in size,
4. Dahul (دهول), closely resembling the Bur variety.
   

Bireir trees are among the tallest palm trees in Dar al-Manasir.

Qundeil (قنديل):

The Qundeil variety has been introduced to Dar al-Manasir from the regions of Mahas and Sakut north of Dongola during the past decades (cf. YUSIF 1995:275, JACKSON 1926:8). Like the Bur and Bireir varieties their produce in the region of the Fourth Cataract is limited by the fact that a good share of their fruits fall off prematurely.
The fruit is substantial, its taste not very sweet.

Bit Tamudhah (بت تموضة):

The Bit Tamudhah variety is rarely to be found in Dar al-Manasir and had been introduced from the area of Mahas north of Dongola (cf. JACKSON 1926:8).

Tamarat Muhummed (تمرات محمّد):

Tamarat Muhummed is alternatively called Diqis (دقس) and 'Akish (عكيش) and among the uncommon varieties in Dar al-Manasir. Its trees are known to produce high quantities of fruits.

Gau (جاو):

Gau dates can originate from self-sown trees or date varieties that have reverted to kind either through uncongenial surroundings, improper cultures, insufficient water or other reasons (cf. JACKSON 1926:8). Gau dates are fed to the livestock and sold on the market for a low price.
The sample fruits are very small (about 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide) and light. Their colour varies from light yellow to yellowish red.
Gau trees often consist of a clump of shoots from the same root which is called Bu'rah (بؤرة) or Hufrah (حفرة), (cf. LEACH 1919:102, Date Cultivation in Dar al-Manasir).

Karmush (كرموش):

Any tasteless date variety that became dry while still being attached to the fruit bunch is called Karmush. Alike Gau fruits the dates are used as fodder.

(information by 'Abdallah Ahmad al-Hassan Abu Qurun (عبدالله أحمد الحسن أبو قرون من مديمر) and Al-Tayyb Babikir Ahmad Muhammad (الطيّب بابكر أحمد محمّد من مديمر) from Mideimir, Talha from Sulha (طلحى من صلحة, شرري) and 'Abd al-Hafidh from Al-Dum (عبد الحفيظ من الدوم, شرري) on Sherari Island: all experienced local date cultivators)

References and External Links:

• AL-HAKEM, A.M.A. (1993): Merowe (Hamdab) High Dam and its Impacts. In: Kush XVI, 25 p.
• CORKILL N.L. (1948): Weight Equivalent of Sudan Foods sold by Measures of Capacity. In: Sudan Notes and Records, Vol.29, pp. 126–127.
• INNES, N.MCL. (1930): The Monasir Country. In: Sudan Notes and Records, Vol.14, pp. 185–191.
• JACKSON, H.C. (1926): A Trek in Abu Hamed District. In: Sudan Notes and Records, Vol.9 No.2, pp. 1–35.
• LEACH, T.A. (1919): Date-Trees in Halfa Province. In: Sudan Notes and Records, Vol.2, pp. 98–104.
• QASIM, A.SH. (2002): Qamus al-Lahgah al-'Amiya fi al-Sudan. 3rd ed. p. 1076 (عون الشريف قاسم (2002): قاموس اللهجة العامية في السودان. الطبعة الثالثة. الدار السودانية للكتب. س 1076)
• SALIH, A.M. (1999): The Manasir of the Northern Sudan: Land and People. A Riverain Society and Resource Scarcity. 282 p.
• YUSIF, A.A. (1995): Al-Nakhil (First Part). Khartoum, p.349. (عبدلله أحمد يوسف (1995): النخيل – الجزء الأولى الخرطوم)

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