Ahamed Sa’id “The Prince of Kassala” was born in Eastern Sudan and is an ethnic Beja from the Hadandwa Tribe in eastern Sudan. He is a talented musician who has mastered the traditional instrument, an ancient 5-string lyre called Masankop or Basankop, an instrument known to anyone familiar with ancient Egyptian instruments. In addition, Ahamed is a composer, organist, poet, and performer blessed with an incredible haunting voice and with an instantly recognizable presence. He has recorded four albums composed and performed with both modern and traditional instruments. His work is a fusion between ancient traditional tribal songs of the Beja people and modern electric music. His music resonates because he sings about peace, hope, and love. Ahamed’s next major recording project will be produced and distributed with the help of American and European producers and record labels, and is to be launched internationally. He has a number of videos on YouTube: Video 1 • Video 2 • Video 3 • Video 4

Omar Hamad is born of two different Beja tribes, the Amarar and the Bishari. He is a Social Activist and NGO worker in the Eastern Sudan focusing on sustainable agriculture, education and ecotourism. He has dedicated his life to helping the Bejawi people feed themselves by utlizing modern sustainable farming practices and returning to traditions based in ancient tribal pastoralism. He is also very interested in the ecology and wildlife of the Bejawi tribal regions.

Meled Sah’ Uriel Ma’ahes is the matrilineal descendant of the 18th and final Qamhat Nazir of the Qamhat Bishari; son of Princess Irisi Sa’ida of the Taha Dynasty in the former kingdom of old Dotawo in Upper Egypt, describes some of the cultural history, and contemporary challenges of the Bejawi, indigenous peoples of Upper Egypt, Eastern Sudan, and Northern Eritrea.

Music by Derrik Jordan’s Super String Theory, Yunis Hilali, Dr. Osheik Abu’Asha Seidi, and Ahamed Sa’id.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:49:48 — 150.8MB)