South Sudanese youth turn to art to push for peace

South Sudanese youth turn to art to push for peace

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South Sudanese activists are using music, poetry, theatre, comedy, dance and fashion to preach tolerance in the world's youngest nation which has been divided by years of civil war.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often along ethnic lines.

Supporters on both sides, many of whom reside outside of the country due to the conflict, have taken the hostilities to the Internet, using Facebook and Twitter to take each other on with posts that are sometimes deemed hate speech.

. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Enter Ana Taban, which means "I'm tired" in Arabic, a group of young musicians, fashion designers and poets who are using art and culture to demand peace in their homeland.

. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu
"Heal this spirit that's broken, piece together pieces of me, my affiliation, or tongue, colour, politics, restore what’s human in me, peace, come find me, enrich this fist choking, un-taint my disputes, resonating, unhinge my words, elevating, unleash a conciliation, everlasting, peace, come find me." - Ayak Chol Deng

"I hope for better serviced institutions, better opportunities for youth, a country where I don't need to be from a specific tribe," said Ayak Chol Deng, 31, an epidemiologist, spoken word poet and activist who co-founded the group about a year ago.

The group holds regular open-air performances around the capital Juba and in other towns to call for peace and to educate their fellow citizens on the need for a non-violent resolution of the conflict that has cost thousands of lives.

. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Meen Mabior Meen, 30, a rap musician and founding member of Ana Taban, said it is a platform for the youth to tackle issues that can change the country. He spoke at his home in Juba, sitting next to the crib of his new-born child.

Such powerful aspirations are also attracting people outside of the country to the group, at #Anataban, in order to play their role in encouraging peace.

. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

They include Abul Oyay, 30, a university student in neighbouring Kenya.

Ana Taban's members do not limit themselves to theatrical performances. Bright murals with messages calling for peace, created by its members, can be seen on walls around Juba.

. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

"We are focused on bringing the country together, bringing people together. We are neutral, we are non-partisan," said Jacob Bul Bior, 28, a radio and theatre actor.

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Slideshow

Winnie Godi, 25, is a designer. Her last collection, which was presented at Nairobi International Fashion Festival, was called Anataban Collection.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Winnie Godi, 25, is a designer. Her last collection, which was presented at Nairobi International Fashion Festival, was called Anataban Collection.

Thomas Dai, 33, a cartoonist, painter and member of Ana Taban, hugs his daughter Nyamai at his home.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Thomas Dai, 33, a cartoonist, painter and member of Ana Taban, hugs his daughter Nyamai at his home.

Manasseh Mathiang, 33, a musician, artist and activist returned to the country in 2011, when he was part of civil society groups who were mobilising people to register and vote in the referendum.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Manasseh Mathiang, 33, a musician, artist and activist returned to the country in 2011, when he was part of civil society groups who were mobilising people to register and vote in the referendum.

Jalpan Bol, a student, painter and member of Ana Taban.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Jalpan Bol, a student, painter and member of Ana Taban.

Kenyi Lado, an artist, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph in Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, which is also his home.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Kenyi Lado, an artist, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph in Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, which is also his home.

Yousif Mohammed Haroun (stage name Asif Kafi), 30, a musician and poet, records at a home studio. Haroun was born in Ethiopia, grew up in Kenya and studied in Uganda. He returned to Juba in 2011.
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Yousif Mohammed Haroun (stage name Asif Kafi), 30, a musician and poet, records at a home studio. Haroun was born in Ethiopia, grew up in Kenya and studied in Uganda. He returned to Juba in 2011.

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba.

Members of Ana Taban rest on top of the mountain, with a friend, during a hike on Jebel Kujur (Mountain Black Magic), in Juba. A woman from the area who climbed the mountain, prays on her knees.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Members of Ana Taban rest on top of the mountain, with a friend, during a hike on Jebel Kujur (Mountain Black Magic), in Juba. A woman from the area who climbed the mountain, prays on her knees.

Youths attend an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Youths attend an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba.

Musician Vama Joseph Zaki performs during an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba.
. Juba, South Sudan. Reuters/Andreea Campeanu

Musician Vama Joseph Zaki performs during an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba.