Peter Verney
@peterverney.bsky.social
Sudan specialist; general dabbler. Sometime aid worker, baobab planter, biologist, bum-wiper, English teacher, field music recorder*, Smartie-maker, staff writer, Zar inductee.
*Sonic scrapbook at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/afriscape
*Sonic scrapbook at https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/afriscape
I do love a good Venn diagram. And a concept neatly identified in another language.
February 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I do love a good Venn diagram. And a concept neatly identified in another language.
The amazing Donald Jumbo VanRenen kitted me out with music to DJ in Sudan - and in Geneva (February 84). Flyer below.
Nicky Tesco of the Members later told me he was visiting Jumbo's place in Oxford Gardens around the same time as me.
Both sadly missed.
Nicky Tesco of the Members later told me he was visiting Jumbo's place in Oxford Gardens around the same time as me.
Both sadly missed.
January 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The amazing Donald Jumbo VanRenen kitted me out with music to DJ in Sudan - and in Geneva (February 84). Flyer below.
Nicky Tesco of the Members later told me he was visiting Jumbo's place in Oxford Gardens around the same time as me.
Both sadly missed.
Nicky Tesco of the Members later told me he was visiting Jumbo's place in Oxford Gardens around the same time as me.
Both sadly missed.
"Tape everything" - Studs Terkel, seen here with the wonderful Kitchen Sisters.
January 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
"Tape everything" - Studs Terkel, seen here with the wonderful Kitchen Sisters.
On the walk to Jebel Uri from Kutum in 1986, and on the way back, we re-fuelled with marisa (sorghum beer / "bokho").
The magic of fermentation, packed with B vitamins, sustained us.
The magic of fermentation, packed with B vitamins, sustained us.
December 22, 2024 at 4:01 PM
On the walk to Jebel Uri from Kutum in 1986, and on the way back, we re-fuelled with marisa (sorghum beer / "bokho").
The magic of fermentation, packed with B vitamins, sustained us.
The magic of fermentation, packed with B vitamins, sustained us.
Our loo in Beyt el Mal, Omdurman, 1981 (pre-replastering).
Situated between two clumps of palm trees, a discreet distance from the verandah. Idyllic.
Did lose a duck down the long-drop, mind. Narrowed the hole after that.
Situated between two clumps of palm trees, a discreet distance from the verandah. Idyllic.
Did lose a duck down the long-drop, mind. Narrowed the hole after that.
December 22, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Our loo in Beyt el Mal, Omdurman, 1981 (pre-replastering).
Situated between two clumps of palm trees, a discreet distance from the verandah. Idyllic.
Did lose a duck down the long-drop, mind. Narrowed the hole after that.
Situated between two clumps of palm trees, a discreet distance from the verandah. Idyllic.
Did lose a duck down the long-drop, mind. Narrowed the hole after that.
Jebel Uri, North Darfur, 1986.
Kevin Browne took this photo of me on a rock amid the 400-year old ruins of the palace of Sultan Chau Dorshid, looking out at the village below and the mountain range beyond.
The destination of our Short Walk from Kutum (sorry, Eric).
Memorable meditation spot.
Kevin Browne took this photo of me on a rock amid the 400-year old ruins of the palace of Sultan Chau Dorshid, looking out at the village below and the mountain range beyond.
The destination of our Short Walk from Kutum (sorry, Eric).
Memorable meditation spot.
December 22, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Jebel Uri, North Darfur, 1986.
Kevin Browne took this photo of me on a rock amid the 400-year old ruins of the palace of Sultan Chau Dorshid, looking out at the village below and the mountain range beyond.
The destination of our Short Walk from Kutum (sorry, Eric).
Memorable meditation spot.
Kevin Browne took this photo of me on a rock amid the 400-year old ruins of the palace of Sultan Chau Dorshid, looking out at the village below and the mountain range beyond.
The destination of our Short Walk from Kutum (sorry, Eric).
Memorable meditation spot.
1977, balcony of Amir Hotel, Gedaref.
Ahmed 'al-Ganadil' cuts stencils from X-ray sheets with a razor blade to make bespoke T-shirts and banners, using household paint in lieu of fancy ink.
(Do not try at home - and btw razor blades in Sudan have their own story.)
Ahmed 'al-Ganadil' cuts stencils from X-ray sheets with a razor blade to make bespoke T-shirts and banners, using household paint in lieu of fancy ink.
(Do not try at home - and btw razor blades in Sudan have their own story.)
December 22, 2024 at 3:34 PM
1977, balcony of Amir Hotel, Gedaref.
Ahmed 'al-Ganadil' cuts stencils from X-ray sheets with a razor blade to make bespoke T-shirts and banners, using household paint in lieu of fancy ink.
(Do not try at home - and btw razor blades in Sudan have their own story.)
Ahmed 'al-Ganadil' cuts stencils from X-ray sheets with a razor blade to make bespoke T-shirts and banners, using household paint in lieu of fancy ink.
(Do not try at home - and btw razor blades in Sudan have their own story.)
Souvenir from the Pays Dogon in Mali
November 16, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Souvenir from the Pays Dogon in Mali
Hope to be at Sudafest in Bristol next Friday to join a panel talking about Sudanese music (and playing some).
November 16, 2024 at 10:07 PM
Hope to be at Sudafest in Bristol next Friday to join a panel talking about Sudanese music (and playing some).
Folkestone this afternoon.
September 21, 2024 at 10:36 AM
Folkestone this afternoon.
UK residents: if you care about Sudan, care about those who have reached UK from Sudan - and other conflict zones. They are under threat of pre-election deportation to Rwanda. Wilsons solicitors are representing ANY Rwanda cases.
(Via Eddie Thomas.)
(Via Eddie Thomas.)
April 28, 2024 at 8:26 PM
UK residents: if you care about Sudan, care about those who have reached UK from Sudan - and other conflict zones. They are under threat of pre-election deportation to Rwanda. Wilsons solicitors are representing ANY Rwanda cases.
(Via Eddie Thomas.)
(Via Eddie Thomas.)
Manchester #Sudan Evening, NIA Centre 5th May:
PLEASE NOTE - We're adding to the line-up and opening earlier at 6:00 to include a bazaar + #Sudanese food.
Then a screening of the award-winning The Spider-Man of Sudan at 7:30. Thanks to Phil Cox of Native Voice Films for this!
PLEASE NOTE - We're adding to the line-up and opening earlier at 6:00 to include a bazaar + #Sudanese food.
Then a screening of the award-winning The Spider-Man of Sudan at 7:30. Thanks to Phil Cox of Native Voice Films for this!
April 28, 2024 at 3:33 PM
The oil that fuelled and extended conflict in #Sudan for 3 decades, entrenched the Kezan regime in Khartoum, poisoned the land and added to global warming, turns out to be economic heroin causing crippling addiction.
And a strategic liability.
Ma foi! Quelle surprise!
And a strategic liability.
Ma foi! Quelle surprise!
March 19, 2024 at 4:46 PM
The oil that fuelled and extended conflict in #Sudan for 3 decades, entrenched the Kezan regime in Khartoum, poisoned the land and added to global warming, turns out to be economic heroin causing crippling addiction.
And a strategic liability.
Ma foi! Quelle surprise!
And a strategic liability.
Ma foi! Quelle surprise!
Berhane Woldegabriel was my friend since 1980s Sudan, a lovely man. But I failed to write something in his memory in time for the book about his life which is being launched *today* in London. I feel choked and inarticulate; forgive me. Read the book, and go to the launch if you can.
October 26, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Berhane Woldegabriel was my friend since 1980s Sudan, a lovely man. But I failed to write something in his memory in time for the book about his life which is being launched *today* in London. I feel choked and inarticulate; forgive me. Read the book, and go to the launch if you can.
Peace time...
In the 80s I used to DJ around Khartoum, with 12v car amplifiers, speakers in 50 gallon blue plastic drums, and a couple of Walkman cassette players.
Reggae c/o Rodigan, African music c/o Jumbo Vanrenen, reaching places and people way outside the usual expatriate circles.
Mood +ve.
In the 80s I used to DJ around Khartoum, with 12v car amplifiers, speakers in 50 gallon blue plastic drums, and a couple of Walkman cassette players.
Reggae c/o Rodigan, African music c/o Jumbo Vanrenen, reaching places and people way outside the usual expatriate circles.
Mood +ve.
October 5, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Peace time...
In the 80s I used to DJ around Khartoum, with 12v car amplifiers, speakers in 50 gallon blue plastic drums, and a couple of Walkman cassette players.
Reggae c/o Rodigan, African music c/o Jumbo Vanrenen, reaching places and people way outside the usual expatriate circles.
Mood +ve.
In the 80s I used to DJ around Khartoum, with 12v car amplifiers, speakers in 50 gallon blue plastic drums, and a couple of Walkman cassette players.
Reggae c/o Rodigan, African music c/o Jumbo Vanrenen, reaching places and people way outside the usual expatriate circles.
Mood +ve.
Alternative to HS2 for the North revealed.
Actually the Nyala-Khartoum railway in #Sudan, photo by Pablo Viggs. Note the carpet.
My own intrepid train-roof journey was Ktm-Port Sudan, with Helen. But we also had an old-fashioned 1st class sleeper and diner for when the sun got too hot.
Actually the Nyala-Khartoum railway in #Sudan, photo by Pablo Viggs. Note the carpet.
My own intrepid train-roof journey was Ktm-Port Sudan, with Helen. But we also had an old-fashioned 1st class sleeper and diner for when the sun got too hot.
October 5, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Alternative to HS2 for the North revealed.
Actually the Nyala-Khartoum railway in #Sudan, photo by Pablo Viggs. Note the carpet.
My own intrepid train-roof journey was Ktm-Port Sudan, with Helen. But we also had an old-fashioned 1st class sleeper and diner for when the sun got too hot.
Actually the Nyala-Khartoum railway in #Sudan, photo by Pablo Viggs. Note the carpet.
My own intrepid train-roof journey was Ktm-Port Sudan, with Helen. But we also had an old-fashioned 1st class sleeper and diner for when the sun got too hot.
My late wife Lena, in Beyt el Mal, Omdurman, 1983 - modelling Ethiopian dress on our verandah.
October 3, 2023 at 9:57 PM
My late wife Lena, in Beyt el Mal, Omdurman, 1983 - modelling Ethiopian dress on our verandah.
My Dad on one of several cycling trips to Germany in the 1930s.
October 3, 2023 at 9:21 PM
My Dad on one of several cycling trips to Germany in the 1930s.
Was out with Dad when he found this on a tip. Remember being excited when he repainted it and it became a birthday present.
October 3, 2023 at 8:38 PM
Was out with Dad when he found this on a tip. Remember being excited when he repainted it and it became a birthday present.
Mum baptises me with a pewter mug the size of my head while Dad stands by, with godparents Eddie and Ellen on the right of the photo.
October 3, 2023 at 8:31 PM
Mum baptises me with a pewter mug the size of my head while Dad stands by, with godparents Eddie and Ellen on the right of the photo.