An Ancient & Diverse Culture

The people of the Nuba Mountains live in one of the most remote parts of Sudan and are comprised of a rich mosaic of some 70 different ethnicities and 100 languages. The region covers about 30,000 square miles (roughly the size of South Carolina). Population estimates very widely, but is is believed that somewhere between 1 and 2 million people live in the Nuba Mountains. Most Nuba people are subsistence farmers, raising vegetables, chickens and livestock. They have a strong work ethic and sense of community. It is common for people to walk many miles to help their neighbors rebuild homes, schools, and roads that have been destroyed by decades of civil war.

Because of the relative isolation of the Nuba Mountains, the region has long served as a refuge for people seeking safe refuge from oppression or slavery. This legacy has taught the Nuba people to live with their diversity, working together for the well-being of everyone, and looking past cultural and religious differences. In the Nuba Mountains, adherents to Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religions intermingle and work together.

The Nuba people are also enthusiastic participants in athletic activities, particularly wrestling. Whether in the Nuba Mountains or in a refugee camp in a neighboring country, it is common to see a crowd gathered to watch a rousing wrestling match.