The Longing of the Dervish

The Longing of the Dervish is the second novel by Sudanese writer Hammour Ziada. It was first published in 2014 by Al Ain Publishing House in Cairo. The novel won the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 2014 and was shortlisted for the 2015 International Prize for Arabic Fiction, also known as the Arabic Booker Prize.

Overview

The novel explores social conflict in Sudan during the decline of the theocratic Mahdist State. It highlights tensions between Christian culture and Islamic Sufi traditions, alongside themes of love, religion, betrayal, and political struggle. The story follows "Bakhit Mandil", a former slave and prisoner who is released and seeks revenge on those responsible for his suffering. The narrative is set during the historical period marking the entry of Anglo-Egyptian forces into Sudan in the late 19th century, leading to the defeat of the Mahdist State.