Hope in a Bowl: Resilience and Survival Through Food in Sudan

As the sun sets during Ramadan, families gather with the evening meal known as iftar. In many homes in Sudan, one dish is often found at the table: ful.

Ful Mademas, or ful for short, made from slow cooked fava beans, served with oil, onions, tomatoes, feta, and eaten with bread, is known for being Sudan’s national dish. It is simple, filling, and a great dish to share among family and friends. During Ramadan, this meal is especially popular due to its filling effect after a long day of fasting. 

But this Ramadan comes at a difficult time for many Sudanese families. 

Since 2023, Sudan has faced violent conflict that has forced thousands of people from their homes. Cities have been repeatedly bombed, humanitarian aid has been blocked, and many civilians have lost their lives. These are just some of the hardships that have become part of a daily reality for many families. In many regions, people face severe shortages of food, clean water, electricity, and other basic resources.

Even in these dangerous and uncertain times, many families still try to hold on to small routines. For many Sudanese mothers, cooking is one way to bring a sense of stability to their children. A dish like ful may seem simple, but for many families it serves as a  reminder of home, culture and a small sense of normalcy under life altering circumstances.

Ingredients:

2 cans of fava beans 

1-2 diced tomatoes 

2 oz of any oil of your choice

1 cup of water 

5 minced or crushed garlic cloves

1 half of an onion, chopped

1 tsp of cumin

Salt, to your liking 

Pepper, to your liking  

Sesame oil 

Feta cheese

Directions:

1. Drain each can of fava beans and rinse them with water in a bowl
2. Next, heat ¼ of oil in a pan or pot on medium heat 
3. Add onions to fry for 2 minutes, then add tomatoes to frying onions for another 2 minutes while mixing
4. Add fava beans and 1 cup water to the pot. Let it sit for 5 minutes to boil or until the water reduces
5. Get a potato masher or any kitchen utensil to mash the fava beans while they are still on the stove 
6. Add cumin, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper and mix 
7. Once all mixed, turn off the heat and let it cool
8. Plate the ful, drizzle sesame oil and crumble feta cheese on top 
9. Warm up bread to accompany your ful and enjoy!