In a world where children’s eyes and ears are hooked on YouTube channels such as Cocomelon and Bebefinn, Sudanese children’s music has increasingly been overlooked.
Sudan has a vibrant, rich and diverse library of children’s music that has long been an important part of the country’s musical heritage. While much of this repertoire belongs to an earlier era and may sound dated by today’s standards, these songs still have much to offer Sudanese children. They carry simple yet meaningful messages about loving and respecting family, appreciating one’s country, caring for nature and protecting the environment.
One of the most distinctive features of Sudanese children’s music is that many of its songs are performed by children themselves, giving them a unique sense of innocence, energy and authenticity. Sudan has had numerous children’s choirs and musical groups, including Farqat Al Alwan (The Colour Band). Children’s musical performances were also featured prominently on Ganat Al Atfal, a popular and long-running children’s programme broadcast on Sudan National Television.
Several Sudanese musicians have dedicated part of their work to children’s music, including Safwat Aljaili and, more recently, Cheb Amir, whose songs continue to introduce messages of hope, patriotism, environmental awareness and ambition to younger generations.
Revisiting these songs today is not simply an exercise in nostalgia; it is also a way of preserving a musical heritage and introducing a new generation to the values, stories and sounds that shaped the childhoods of generations of Sudanese.
“Ana Ya Balad“
“Ana Ya Balad” (“I, O Country”) is an old Sudanese children’s song sung by a young, unnamed girl. This patriotic song is where the young girl sings to Sudan and celebrates love for one’s homeland and identity, expressing the joy that comes with belonging and the hope of always wishing and dreaming of a better future for the country.
“Awa’ Taqta’ Safagat Shajara” – Farqat Al Alwan
In this educational and environmental song, “Awa’ Taqta’ Safagat Shajara” (“Never Cut a Tree’s Leaf”), Farqat Al Alwan raises awareness about the environment and teaches children about the importance of nature and protecting it. The song encourages collective action and inspires children to adopt more environmentally conscious habits.
“Badri Saheet Min Al Nom“
One of the oldest Sudanese children’s songs, Badri Saheet Min Al Nom (“I Woke Up Early”), is a gentle and melodic ode to the simple rituals of childhood mornings, sung by generations of young Sudanese children.
“Laman Kunta Saghayir”
One of the most recognised and beloved Sudanese children’s songs, Laman Kunta Saghayir (“When I Was Little”) is one of the country’s oldest children’s songs and continues to resonate today, with many Sudanese children knowing its lyrics by heart. One of its best-known lines is: “Laman kunta saghayyir, bala’ab bil turab, mama labastni al jazma wa al shurab” (“When I was little, I used to play in the dirt; Mama dressed me in shoes and socks”).
The song evokes simple and innocent childhood memories, from playing in the dirt to the warmth and care of a mother. It has been covered by various Sudanese artists, with numerous versions circulating, including a popular flute-only rendition by Shaf Ahmed.
“Alnom Alnom Ta’al“
“Alnom Alnom Ta’al” is one of the most recognisable Sudanese songs, based on a traditional Sudanese folk rhyme or lullaby. Its slow, gentle tempo makes it well suited to bedtime routines, helping soothe infants and signal that it is time to rest. The song calls on sleep to come to the baby and lull them into rest.
“Oghniyat Haboba” – Farqat Al Alwan
In Sudanese society, the grandmother is one of the most beloved members of the family. She is affectionately known as Haboba, a term derived from the Arabic word for love, reflecting the warmth and care she often provides, not only to her own children, but also to her grandchildren. This playful, upbeat song, “Oghniyat Haboba” (“Haboba’s Song”), celebrates the special place grandmothers hold in Sudanese families and teaches children to cherish and value them.
“Oghniya Lil Watan” – Farqat Al Alwan
“Oghniya Lil Watan” (“A Song for the Homeland”/”A Song for the Nation”) is a patriotic children’s song that seeks to nurture a sense of love, pride and belonging to Sudan among young listeners.
“Qum Lil Muallim Wa Fihi Al Tabjeela” – Farqat Al Alwan
“Qum Lil Muallim Wa Fihi Al Tabjeela“( “Stand up for the teacher and show them due respect”/”Rise for the teacher and give them reverence”) is based on a famous line from a poem by the Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi, praising teachers and emphasising their important role in society.
“Tari Ya Tayara“
A lesser-known but cherished Sudanese children’s song, Tari Ya Tayara (“Fly, Plane”) was performed by Safwat Aljaili alongside a group of children. Beneath its cheerful premise, the song is surprisingly poignant, telling the story of a child addressing a plane and asking it to carry news to her beloved father, who is living away from home. She tells him about the things he is missing: how his children are growing up, their progress at school, and the hobbies and activities that fill their days. It feels like a child’s attempt to keep her father connected to their lives from afar, while expressing how deeply she misses him.
“Ya Mitara“
Ya Mitara (“O Raindrop”) is one of the oldest and most beloved Sudanese children’s songs, continuing to resonate across generations through numerous covers and revivals.
An environmental song rooted in a traditional folk rhyme, it addresses the rain directly, calling on it to fall, irrigate the fields and help crops grow. Through its simple and playful lyrics, the song introduces children to the vital role of rain in sustaining agriculture, food and life, while nurturing an appreciation for nature and the environment.
“Ya Talea’a El Shagara“
One of the most recognised and beloved Sudanese children’s songs, Ya Tale’e Al Shajara is more than 20 years old and continues to resonate today, with many Sudanese children knowing its lyrics by heart, particularly the popular line, “Ya tale’e al shagara, jeeb li ma’ak thamara” (“To the one climbing the tree, bring me a fruit”). The song has been covered by several singers, including Sudanese singers Manar Abbas and Safwat Elgili, and a different version by Arab artists Ali El Hagar and Wael Jassar.
A traditional Arabic folk song for children, Ya Tale’e Al Shajara is also associated with a renowned experimental play of the same name by Egyptian writer Tawfiq Al Hakim, published in 1962. The play combines the theatre of the absurd with symbolism, exploring questions of existence, the meaning of life and the absence of human communication. The song itself celebrates the importance of trees and nature, and their role in nurturing and sustaining human life.
Recent children’s songs:
“Jowana Amal” – Cheb Amir
In 2020, Cheb Amir released “Jowana Amal” (Inside Us is Hope), a children’s song brings hope, strength and inspiration to young listeners, reminding them that they are the future and can play a role in shaping and changing Sudan. It is accompanied by a heartwarming video featuring children of different appearances, backgrounds and abilities, including children with disabilities.
The video shows children playing, praying and studying at school, while others perform on musical instruments such as drums and the flute. There is also a second version of the video featuring sign language, making the song more accessible to children with hearing impairments.
“Jowana Amal 2″ – Mohammed Alkinani
In 2025, Mohammed Alkinani released a new version of Cheb Amir’s “Jowana Amal”, inspired by the ongoing war in Sudan while retaining the song’s message that the country’s children are its future. Though brief, the song is accompanied by a poignant music video featuring spoken commentary from a Sudanese journalist reflecting on the country’s current situation.
“‘Indana Ahlam” – Cheb Amir
Shortly after releasing Jowana Amal in 2020, Cheb Amir released “‘Indana Ahlam” (“We Have Dreams”), another children’s song centred on hope, inspiration and ambition. Alongside Amir’s vocals, the song features the adorable voices of children singing about what they dream of becoming when they grow up.
“Ya Baladna”
Ya Baladna (“O Country”) is a patriotic song by Sudanese singer Hajer Mohammed Hassan, performed with students from Aljawda Schools and released in 2025. The poignant children’s song expresses a deep longing for Sudan and the feeling of missing home. Set to an anthem-like beat and rhythm, it looks towards a future in which the children can return to Sudan once the ongoing war comes to an end.
