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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / TERAKEKA CULTURAL FESTIVAL
TRT: 2:55
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / ARABIC
DATELINE: 16 JANUARY, TEREKEKA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Med shot, People marching beating drums
2. Med shot, cattle and people dancing
3. Med shot, Convoy at Tereka town
4. Various shots, People dancing
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Betty Apiu Gajuk Kornyang, community member
“I am proud today; this is a significant moment for all South Sudanese. Sixty-four tribes are gathered here in Terekeka, showcasing our unity and strength. This event symbolizes our unity and commitment to peace in our country.”
6. Various shots, spectators
7. Med shot, People playing musical instruments
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Graham Maitland, UNMISS DSRSG:
“Peace is not only written in agreements or discussed in conference rooms, [but] peace is also sung, danced, taught, and practiced in communities. Peace belongs to you. Our role is to walk with you to support and protect peace.”
9. Wide shot,First Vice President Rebecca shaking hand
10. Various shots, people playing their instruments
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Siham Jamal, Deputy Youth Leader in Kapoeta:
“Culture is one of the aspects of the communities to come together, because I'm very sure 100 percent that one of the problems that we are facing here is because we lack the cultural centers in the country where people come together and see each other as brothers.”
12. Med shot, people playing their instruments
13. Various shots, dancing
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Graham Maitland, UNMISS DSRSG:
“This land carries stories older than any institution represented here today; stories preserved through song, dance, language, and ceremony. By coming together today, this community has made a powerful statement, a choice for peace over violence, unity over division, and hope over fear.”
15. Various shots, crowds dancing
Mundari communities are renowned for their pastoral lifestyle, which provides a source of wealth and wellbeing, but has also led to a long history of violent clashes over access to land and resources. With pressure increasing due to a surge in politically driven conflict and climate shocks, the need to promote unity is more important than ever. For several years, the groups have gathered from across Central Equatoria in Terekeka for a special annual festival that celebrates their diverse cultural traditions while promoting a shared identity.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Betty Apiu Gajuk Kornyang, community member:
“I am proud today; this is a significant moment for all South Sudanese. Sixty-four tribes are gathered here in Terekeka, showcasing our unity and strength. This event symbolizes our unity and commitment to peace in our country.”
Joined by other ethnic groups, including Shilluk and Nuer, the festival showcased South Sudan’s rich diversity with performances of traditional music, dance, storytelling, food, art and sports, including a robust bout of wrestling.
SOUNDBITE (English) Graham Maitland, UNMISS DSRSG:
“Peace is not only written in agreements or discussed in conference rooms, [but] peace is also sung, danced, taught, and practiced in communities. Peace belongs to you. Our role is to walk with you to support and protect peace.”
Supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the event was a kind of “living museum” where traditional practices are showcased to ensure their continuity for future generations. It celebrated the enduring spirit of the Mundari people while promoting peace as well as business opportunities and development.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Siham Jamal, Deputy Youth Leader in Kapoeta:
“Culture is one of the aspects of the communities to come together, because I'm very sure 100 percent that one of the problems that we are facing here is because we lack the cultural centers in the country where people come together and see each other as brothers.”
The focus was on how to establish heritage preservation programs to ensure continued cultural conservation while also exploring potential tourism opportunities that would benefit all residents.
SOUNDBITE (English) Graham Maitland, UNMISS DSRSG:
“This land carries stories older than any institution represented here today; stories preserved through song, dance, language, and ceremony. By coming together today, this community has made a powerful statement, a choice for peace over violence, unity over division, and hope over fear.”
As the world’s newest nation confronts the risk of a return to widespread violence, the messages of the Mundari people will resonate with all South Sudanese who continue to hope that their leaders will live up to their promises and pursue a path towards lasting peace.
