Mohammed Abdul-Hayy facts for kids

Mohammed Abdul-Hayy (born January 1, 1944, died August 23, 1989) was an important writer and professor from Sudan. He was one of the first Sudanese writers after Sudan became independent. Many people see him, along with Ali El-Mak and Salah Ahmed Ibrahim, as a leader in modern poetry in Sudan.

Early Life of Mohammed Abdul-Hayy

Mohammed Abdul-Hayy was born in a city called Ad-Damir in Sudan on January 1, 1944. His father was an architect, and his mother's father was also an architect.

Young Mohammed often traveled with his father. These trips helped him learn about the many different cultures and people in Sudan. These experiences later greatly influenced his poems. His poetry often explored the idea of identity in Sudan.

Mohammed Abdul-Hayy's Education and Career

Abdul-Hayy first started studying medicine. However, he soon realized his true interest was in the arts. In 1962, he began studying at Khartoum University. Even as a student, his articles were published in Sudanese newspapers like Al-Rayaam.

In 1967, Mohammed Abdul-Hayy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Khartoum University. He then became a teaching assistant in the English department. He received a scholarship to study in England. In 1970, he earned a Master of Arts degree in English literature from Leeds University. His master's paper was about the Scottish poet Edwin Muir.

Later, in 1973, he earned his PhD in Comparative Literature from Oxford University. His PhD research looked at how American and English romantic ideas influenced Arabic poetry. After getting his PhD, Abdul-Hayy returned to Sudan. He taught English and comparative literature at Khartoum University. He also led the Department of English from 1978 to 1980. He passed away at the age of 45 on August 23, 1989, in Khartoum.

Mohammed Abdul-Hayy's Poetry

In 1973, Abdul-Hayy released his famous poem, Al Awada alla Sennar (Return to Sennar). This poem explored the idea of Sudanese cultural identity. It used the old Kingdom of Sennar as a symbol of how African and Arabic cultures could live together. When it was published, Al Awada alla Sennar became very popular in the Arab world.

Mohammed Abdul-Hayy, along with other writers from the early 1960s like Ali El-Makk, Al-Nur Othman Abkar, Yusef Aidabi, and Abdullah Shabu, helped start a literary style called the "Forest and the Desert School". In this name, "forest" refers to the rainforests in southern Sudan, and "desert" refers to northern Sudan.

Selected Works

Poetry Collections

• Al Awada alla Sennar (Return to Sennar) (1973)
• Moaʾalakat al isharat (The Signals) (1977)
• Al-samandal yughanni (The Newt Sings) (1977)
• Hadiqat al-ward al-akhirah (The Last Rose Garden) (1984)
• Allah fi-zaman alʾunf (God in the Time of Violence) (1993)

Plays

• Ruʾt al-malik (The King's Vision) (1973)

See also

• Sudanese literature
• List of Sudanese writers