Israeli Explorer Encounters Hebrew-Speaking Sudanese Guide in African Banana Plantations

Israeli traveler Yitzhak Carmeli, on his journey through Africa searching for the Lost Ten Tribes, recounted a surprising encounter with a local Sudanese guide who spoke to him in Hebrew. The guide pointed out that the tribes were located "behind the swamp, inside banana plantations and cornfields," and even mentioned the existence of a synagogue there. Carmeli was intrigued by the unusual combination of banana plantations, cornfields, and a synagogue, which sparked his curiosity about the guide's Hebrew proficiency.

During his expedition, Carmeli sailed on Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest lake, before boarding a small boat that navigated into the Mbimba swamp. His local boatman, Isaac, skillfully maneuvered through the complex waterways without the aid of GPS or a compass. Carmeli promised to reveal more details about the Sudanese guide's Hebrew skills in the future.