In the wake of the devastating war in Sudan, lives were lost, families uprooted, and the fabric of society irreversibly damaged. The Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F) spared no one. Places of education, worship, and communal gathering were reduced to ruins. 

Homes were raided and violated; and along with them, legacies and memories.

I, with countless others, endured the agony of losing my childhood home to the R.S.F. In this article, I will draw upon my experience to explore the significance of homes and the connection between memories and the built environment.

 Illustration projecting how I felt when I received the news of my home’s occupation in Sudan, and how I think most Sudanese people felt.

 

The Power of Memories in Architectural Spaces

Memories possess a divine quality, leaving marks on our consciousness and shaping our perception.

Architectural spaces become vessels for personal narratives; every corner, every material, and every detail can trigger a flood of recollections, evoking emotions that range from nostalgia to joy or even melancholy.

Memories, both individual and collective, breathe life into spaces, bridging past and present, honoring the stories imprinted from the lived experience of those who inhabit them, infusing them with unique character beyond their physical form.

More so, childhood homes hold an intimate attachment. They are the backdrop of our formative years, where precious memories were created. The walls echo with laughter, tears, and the whispers of our younger selves. They remain etched in our hearts, a sanctuary of nostalgia and a source of comfort.

Amidst Sudan’s war, the inevitable occupation by the R.S.F reached our homes, including mine. Hearing the news was harrowing.

So, while I will not delve into the reasons behind their occupation or recite the specifics and complexities of this war, I will instead recount my own experience and articulate my sentiments regarding this deeply troubling situation.

 

Memories and Identity: Shaping Our Individual & Collective Sense of Belonging

In addition to shaping our perception of physical space, memories also contribute to our sense of identity and belonging.

Our personal memories tied to a specific place create a narrative thread that connects us to that space, forming a part of our individual story. Memories can elicit a strong emotional attachment, making a place feel like home or triggering a sense of nostalgia for a particular time or experience. They provide a sense of continuity and familiarity, anchoring us to a specific environment and influencing how we navigate and interact with it.

In terms of identity tied to specific places, our memories of a particular environment or location become intertwined with our sense of self.

 

Childhood homes, neighborhoods, or significant landmarks hold a special place in our hearts as they encapsulate formative experiences. These memories help us foster a connection to our cultural, social, and geographic roots, contributing to our sense of identity and belonging within a larger community.

 

The Symbolism of Childhood Homes

Like most people, my childhood home was more than mere walls and a roof; it encapsulated a myriad of emotions, it was the cornerstone of my upbringing. Shaping my identity and providing a sense of safety and belonging. Although I no longer reside there or in Sudan, my house remains a sanctuary in my heart.

It surely held the tangible remnants of my past, the artifacts of my journey from childhood to adolescence, and hosted my family during life’s trials and triumphs. It was the vessel that housed the stories of my growth, the milestones of my life, and memories of my cherished belongings.

 

 School drawings, precious mementos from friends, and comforting items like my favorite worn-out toys, treasured photographs, cups, and blankets fill its rooms. Each item carried memories woven into their very essence.

As an adult, it stands as a symbol of purity and innocence, forever etched in my soul. So what truly pains me now is the knowledge that my home is occupied by abhorrent criminals who would never appreciate the meaning of any of that stuff, nor care about them for that matter. 

 

The Heartache of Losing Architectural Heritage

The pain that grips those whose architectural heritage lies shattered is far from a mere reaction to the financial toll or the desecration of the exquisite beauty these structures held. It cuts much deeper, as Hannah Arendt passionately argues:

“Our very existence and sense of stability in this human world rests upon the enduring presence of things, surpassing the transient activities that birthed them.”

Hannah Arendt

To lose everything familiar, to witness the annihilation of one’s surroundings, is to be thrust into a disorienting exile, severed from the valuable memories they once invoked. It strikes at the very core of our collective identity, threatening the unbroken thread that connects us to our past, even if identity itself is an ever-shifting tapestry through time.

The philosopher Henri Lefebvre captured this profound process, remarking that monumental spaces offered each individual a thoughtful reflection of their place within society, a reflection more faithful than any personal looking glass could ever provide.

It transcends the confines of Lacanian mirror theory, wherein self-recognition as a distinct entity is paramount. Instead, it delves into the essence of belonging, binding the individual back into the embrace of a larger community—a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness and the substantial longing to find solace in the collective tapestry of existence.

 

The Deliberate Destruction: Erasing Sentimental Value

In conflicts, there is a disturbing aspect involving the deliberate destruction of cultural artifacts, a war against architecture. This destructive act serves as a tool to assert dominance, instill fear, divide communities, or even attempt to wipe out an entire enemy group.

Unlike traditional warfare focused on defeating opposing armies, this type of warfare takes place away from the front lines. Its goals include ethnic cleansing, genocide, or rewriting history to consolidate the conqueror’s power.

 

 For instance, a mosque represents more than a religious structure; it becomes a target embodying the existence of a community marked for annihilation. Similarly, a library or university represents historical memory and the legitimacy of a community’s past, present, and future.

In these situations, meaningful structures and places are intentionally singled out for destruction. This goes beyond accidental collateral damage, as it involves purposeful and systematic destruction. The goal is to erase the spatial memories, history, and identity, enforcing a collective ‘forgetting’. These buildings are not attacked because they are in the way of military objectives, but because they themselves are the desired targets for destruction.

Historical instances exemplify the intentional destruction of cultural heritage. The Cultural Revolution in China saw the deliberate targeting and destruction of historical buildings, religious sites, and artifacts. The Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan were intentionally destroyed by the Taliban, erasing a significant historical treasure. The ISIS occupation in Iraq and Syria resulted in the deliberate destruction of ancient archaeological sites, attempting to eradicate non-Islamic cultural heritage.

These examples emphasize the meaningful significance of architecture, as it holds collective memory and cultural identity, with its destruction erasing tangible markers of shared history.

Therefore, the presence of the R.S.F in Sudan goes beyond mere home occupation; it signifies a heart-wrenching act of demolishing what holds sentimental value. Their ruthless actions involve firing shots at sofas, beds, wardrobes, and family portraits, unleashing a storm of anguish.

Fuelled by envy, the R.S.F seeks to inflict emotional pain by targeting precious belongings. They fail to grasp the significance that a ‘jalabiya’ or a simple cup set can hold for a family. To them, these objects may be inconsequential, but to those who call these houses home, they are treasures intertwined with memories.

Consequently, the deliberate destruction of these beloved items fractures not only possessions but also the hearts of their rightful owners. The R.S.F’s underlying motive is to erase and defile the deep-rooted memories that families have woven into the fabric of their items.

 

The Intersection of Memories and Architecture

Delving into the intricacies of architecture, buildings acquire meaning through their everyday function, their presence in the urban landscape, and their physical form. They can possess inherent meaning as structures themselves or serve as vessels that contain and reflect meaning and history. In either case, they evoke memories.

This is not solely about the subtle sensory experiences of scent, taste, and texture, although architecture certainly has the ability to evoke such nuances. The mere sight of a building—a childhood home, a significant meeting place, or even a despised workplace—can instantly trigger memories.

Moreover, the familiarity of a street, an unconscious sense of its unique enclosure, the sunny side of the road, or a well-known turning point can create a deep sense of rootedness and connection to a place and its community. Both individual and collective memories come into play here.

Collective memory intertwines individual memories to form a shared narrative about a place’s architectural heritage, shaped by generations and independent of any single individual. Our understanding of the world is influenced by interactions with the built environment, personal recollections, and knowledge of others’ experiences, giving rise to social identity rooted in specific times and places.

As I reflect upon this, a bittersweet longing tugs at my heart. The R.S.F intrusion in my house shattered a piece of my soul, and the home that once symbolized innocence and purity became a site of heartache and loss.

 

Preserving the Essence: Coping and Moving Forward

However, in the face of the shocking and painful loss of my childhood home, I choose to rise above the despair and embrace a path of inspiration and resilience. The pain I feel is a testament to the enduring power of home. It is a reminder that the memories forged within those walls are a part of me, forever imprinted upon my being.

That is why I will cherish every aspect of my home’s existence. Remembering the transformative impact it had on my life. Though material possessions may have been stolen or maliciously damaged, the spirit of my home endures, transcending the physical realm. I hold steadfast to the belief that one day, in the future, I may find myself back within its familiar embrace.

For now, I channel my energy into honoring its legacy and preserving the essence that resides within my heart.