Conserving Sudan’s Timeless Treasures Part 1
Nisreen Kuku; Designer and Conserver of Sudanese Jewelry
“Timeless Treasures”
Setting the Scene
Above, the strikingly graceful Nisreen Kuku, interior designer, jewelry creator and passionate advocate for the preservation of Sudan’s unique jewelry heritage.
The first woman jewelry designer in Sudan (1996) and founder of the Kuku house of design, Nisreen was captivated by Sudanese jewelry as a young girl while exploring the antique jewelry market stalls of her native Omdurman. In 2018, Nisreen officially launched her own brand KUKU and set up her own gallery and retail space in Khartoum.
Join us next month for In Conversation, when Nisreen talks about the inspiration behind her work, her collections and her vital conservation work. At this time of great tragedy, it is perhaps more important than ever to celebrate Sudan’s unique artistic and esthetic heritage. Celebrating this heritage reminds us to keep hold of our hope and humanity.
Title photograph, and below, an exquisite piece from Nisreen’s Beja Collection, 2017-18.
Nisreen has travelled widely in Sudan, meticulously documenting Sudan’s unique regional diversity in jewelry. The unique symbolism and motifs of Sudanese jewelry and adornments inform her collections, making them a sophisticated and highly wearable contemporary homage to the “timeless treasures” she is committed to conserving.
Above, a superb example of antique Rashaida silver work, Ethnographic Museum Khartoum
Learn more about Rashaida dress and adornment in Rashaida Dress and Adornment Part 1
See more on Sudanese jewelry in “A Necklace of Shells from Distant Seas…”
and The Hagu / Hagoo
Above, Rashaida anklets or hijil, personal collection
Below, some of Nisreen’s pieces referencing age-old northern Sudanese bridal jewelry.
All photos in this article are copyright Nisreen Kuku and may not be reproduced without her written permission.
Read more about these stunning regional pieces, in particular the Jakid necklace, pictured bottom left, in Interview with Nisreen Kuku; L’ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts.
Nisreen has exhibited her work internationally, participated in research programs and cultural exhibitions and in 2022 was invited to collaborate with the prestigious L’ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts in Paris.
Read more about her museum and gallery below:
“Timeless Treasures”
Above, from Nisreen’s iconic “Timeless Treasures” collection.
At a time when Sudan is engulfed by war, Nisreen’s work to preserve its artistic heritage takes on a new and tragic urgency as irreplaceable artifacts are plundered or consumed in flames, such as the Mohammed Omer Bashir Archive in Nisreen’s alma mater, al-Alia University, Omdurman.
Before the outbreak of war, Nisreen explained:
“Four years ago, I opened a private museum to protect the jewels from being melted down. I am running this initiative alone with my financial means. Hopefully the government will support me later on. I love old jewelry, I spent a long time looking at them and I love sharing this passion with the others. I am very happy when I see the others learn something from them!”
Above, Nisreen carefully cleaning antique jewelry.
Even before the war many Sudanese found themselves compelled to sell or melt down their precious family heirlooms in recent years as the economic situation in the country worsened. At the same time, the ancient skills of Sudanese jewelry craftsmen and women were increasingly threatened by readily available imported pieces.
See Nisreen interviewed on this issue in:
Sudanese Artists Preserve Traditional Jewelry – Reuters
Get a sense. of the sheer breadth and exquisite craftsmanship of her work below:
Join us next month to learn more about Nisreen and her exquisite work.
Women's literacy in Sudan 
Lovely pieces! I look forward to reading the article.
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