Al-Jertiq: Practices, Rituals and Expressions for Preservation, Protection, Abundance and Fertility in Sudan

Al-Jertiq is a traditional ritual practiced among Nubian communities in northern Sudan along the Nile. It is associated with protection, fertility, abundance, and good fortune, and is performed during major life events such as marriage, childbirth, circumcision, and certain mourning occasions.
The ritual uses a set of ornate objects, each carrying symbolic meaning and serving a specific purpose, such as protection from the evil eye, blessing the participants, or promoting fertility. Older women usually lead the ceremonies, while brides, grooms, new mothers, children, and family members take part according to the occasion.
Al-Jertiq is passed down informally as girls observe and imitate mothers, grandmothers, and older sisters in preparing, preserving, and using the ritual objects. It is also shared through schools, universities, and social media.
As a rite of passage, Al-Jertiq strengthens identity, marks important life transitions, and reinforces family and community bonds.

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Al-Jertiq: Practices, Rituals and Expressions for Preservation, Protection, Abundance and Fertility in Sudan was inscribed in 2025 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Sudan.