Jebel Marra

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Lore & Background

The Marrah Mountains are the highest in Sudan, rising to 3,042 metres. Apart from the Aïr Mountains in Niger, they are the only major mountain range in the otherwise flat Sahel, rising up to 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) above the plain. The centre of volcanic activity was Deriba Caldera; the last eruption around 1500 BC involved caldera collapse following the eruption of pumice and pyroclastic flows that travelled over 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the volcano. The vegetation was described by Gerald Wickens. Historically, Jebel Marra inhibited the spread of Arabisation from east to west and were a place of refuge for sultans in precolonial times. From 1984 to 1994, the Jebel Marra Rural Development Project established privately owned and community forests, developing nurseries, supplying seedlings, and encouraging farmers to plant and manage trees on their own land. Afforestation on private land began in 1984, and some plantations had reached production by 1992, providing income for farmers. The programme relied heavily on the exotic species Eucalyptus citriodora, which farmers favoured for its rapid growth and strong market demand. After the project ended, extension services became very limited, but community forestry continued. During the War in Darfur, the Marrah Mountains came under the control of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army faction loyal to Abdul Wahid al Nur. The mountains remained one of the group's most important strongholds, housing several of its bases, as of 2021.

Reader's Guide

The Marrah Mountains are a range of volcanic peaks in a massif that rises up to 3,042 metres, the highest in Sudan. They are located in the center of the Darfur region on the border of South Darfur and Central Darfur, with a smaller part in North Darfur. The highest point is Deriba Caldera. The upper reaches have a temperate climate with high rainfall and permanent springs, contrasting with the dry savanna and scrub of the Sahel below. Apart from the Aïr Mountains in Niger, they are the only major mountain range in the otherwise flat Sahel, rising up to 2,600 metres above the plain, but are relatively unknown owing to lack of development and political conflict. The last eruption occurred around 1500 BC; the centre of activity was Deriba Caldera, and involved caldera collapse following the eruption of pumice and pyroclastic flows which travelled over 30 kilometres from the volcano. The vegetation was described by Gerald Wickens. Historically, Jebel Marra inhibited the spread of Arabisation from east to west and were a place of refuge for sultans in precolonial times. From 1984 to 1994, the Jebel Marra Rural Development Project established privately owned and community forests, relying heavily on the exotic species Eucalyptus citriodora. After the project ended, extension services became very limited, but community forestry continued. During the War in Darfur, the mountains came under the control of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army faction loyal to Abdul Wahid al Nur, and as of 2021 remained one of its most important strongholds, housing several bases.

Did You Know?

• The Marrah Mountains are the highest mountains in Sudan, rising to 3,042 metres (9,980 ft).
• The last eruption occurred around 1500 BC, centered on Deriba Caldera, with pyroclastic flows traveling over 30 kilometres (19 mi).
• The upper reaches have a temperate climate with high rainfall and permanent springs, surrounded by the dry Sahel.
• From 1984 to 1994, the Jebel Marra Rural Development Project relied heavily on the exotic species Eucalyptus citriodora for afforestation.
• As of 2021, the mountains remained a stronghold for the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army faction loyal to Abdul Wahid al Nur, housing several bases.