We discovered that a Sudanese form of melon, known as the Kordofan melon, is the closest relative of the domesticated watermelon and a possible progenitor.
-Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Susan Renner et. al., June 8, 2021
Big news in genetic sequencing. It all started in Western Sudan, Cordophanus to Linnaeans. America’s favorite varieties, Golden Midget, Little Darling, Yellow Doll, Sugar Baby, Mini Love- we now know they all can call Kordofan home. KhairAllah and Bilal wouldn’t be surprised to hear this, for Dar al-Kabābīsh is not far from a place they call Umm Batīkh, Mother of the Watermelon.