Cultural renaissance sparks reconciliation
Across Upper Nile State, five youth cultural groups are reviving dance, song and folklore to mend social fabric torn during years of unrest. Nuer, Collo, Koma, Maban and Dinka performers now share stages once segregated by fear.
International Peace Day celebrations, photographed by UNMISS, captured hundreds of young people clapping in unison, a scene unthinkable a decade ago. Local reporters observed laughter drowning out past grievances.
Voices behind the drums
Maban troupe chairperson Dawuda Philip told The Dawn that shared performances have replaced tribal exclusivity. “We come from different tribes, but culture reveals our single South Sudanese heartbeat,” he said, surrounded by drummers rehearsing a blended rhythm.
Deputy secretary of the Collo group, Juma Otum, recalled last year’s joint cultural day where football, feasting and song stitched friendships. “Culture and football act like a church; everyone feels equal,” he remarked.
Sport and storytelling as bridges
State sports director Monyngok Awan noted a visible decline in gang recruitment since youth shifted energy to organised matches and oral history evenings. “Purpose has replaced idleness,” he reported matter-of-factly.
Observers say football’s competitive yet inclusive nature reinforces lessons learned on the dance floor: respect rules, celebrate skill, and applaud opponents. Storytelling sessions meanwhile allow survivors to process trauma collectively, turning painful memories into shared cautionary tales.
Elders endorse youth-driven peace
Community elders, once primary custodians of tradition, now applaud young leaders for refreshing ancestral arts in ways that speak to modern audiences. They argue that reconciliation built in village squares travels further than edicts issued from distant capitals.
Under a late-afternoon mango tree, elders listened as youths planned a single state ensemble to represent Upper Nile abroad. Their quiet nods signalled consent, reinforcing a generational pact to let rhythm guide the long path to stability.
Beats of hope ahead
With national festivals on the horizon, Upper Nile’s unified troupe intends to showcase a narrative of survival rather than suffering. Organisers expect the display to resonate across South Sudan and invite partnerships from neighbouring countries.
For now, each rehearsed clap, verse and kick of a football remains a small vote for peace. As Dawuda mused, “If we can dance together, we can live together.” His words drifted into twilight, carried by steady drums.