SUDAN

To understand that "Sudan(i)" is an adjective derived from the root "sudi," one doesn’t need much imagination. And "sudi" is, of course, the Georgian word for "oats"—as we recall from "Sudeten." But what does oats have to do with Sudan?

Quite a lot. In Chanturia’s dictionary, the word "სუდანურა" (sudanura) appears, meaning "Sudanese grass" (Sorghum sudanense)—a fodder grain, much like oats, cultivated in Sudan since ancient times.

Thus, Sudan can confidently be interpreted as "the land of oats." Another remarkable Kartvelian toponym. And as for how Kartvelian Sudan was in antiquity—you’ll remember from Volume I that it was one of the capitals of ancient Pan-Iberia.