The Greeks of Sudan in the mid-19th century
(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Sudan’)
From 1830 onwards, as the Sudan was a sort of mainland for those who lived and operated a business in Egypt, a small number of Greeks became active in the ivory, leather and ostrich feathers trade. Indeed, since the Greeks were the first European in the area, from the mid 19th century, they guided the expeditions along the Nile River several times. Once the trip through the Nile was very difficult and required a person with a good knowledge of navigation, the Greeks often were the captains of small boats that were making these exploratory trips. Since they knew the region and the local languages, they acted like the “Marco Polo” of Africa, according to Samuel Baker. At the same time, the increasing commercial activity between the regions of western Sudan and the Maghreb, especially after the second half of the 19th century, was an event of decisive importance for the wider region since it led the first European traders, including the Greeks, to Sudan. Gradually, Sudan became a significant trade centre of the whole north-eastern Africa. Goods were transported by camels until Aswan and from there, either by land or through the Nile they were delivered to Cairo.
(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Sudan’)
From 1830 onwards, as the Sudan was a sort of mainland for those who lived and operated a business in Egypt, a small number of Greeks became active in the ivory, leather and ostrich feathers trade. Indeed, since the Greeks were the first European in the area, from the mid 19th century, they guided the expeditions along the Nile River several times. Once the trip through the Nile was very difficult and required a person with a good knowledge of navigation, the Greeks often were the captains of small boats that were making these exploratory trips. Since they knew the region and the local languages, they acted like the “Marco Polo” of Africa, according to Samuel Baker. At the same time, the increasing commercial activity between the regions of western Sudan and the Maghreb, especially after the second half of the 19th century, was an event of decisive importance for the wider region since it led the first European traders, including the Greeks, to Sudan. Gradually, Sudan became a significant trade centre of the whole north-eastern Africa. Goods were transported by camels until Aswan and from there, either by land or through the Nile they were delivered to Cairo.
