El Rahad is the author's hometown located in North Kurdufan, Sudan near a small river. The area has fertile land and various highlands surrounding it. North Kurdufan was known for tobacco and spices. El Rahad came under Egyptian rule in 1821 and later Anglo-Egyptian Sudan rule after the Mahdist revolt in 1882 was defeated in 1898. The population of El Rahad is around 1.8 million people and the median age is 40 years old.