South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Jenifer James
The Mundari community in South Sudan recently celebrated the second edition of their annual cultural festival, bringing together diverse ethnic groups to participate.
The event which took place on Saturday in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, was attended by thousands of people including the Bari, Nuer, Acholi and the Ugandan community.
During the festival, the Advisor for Peace and Security in Central Equatoria State, Angelo Daya Lodu, highlighted the cultural significance of the event while addressing critical challenges facing the Mundari community.
Lodu emphasised the central role that cattle play in the Mundari community’s way of life, both culturally and economically, but pointed out the escalating conflicts over cattle that have led to loss of life and destruction of property in the State.
He drew attention to the worsening issues of cattle diseases and the scarcity of grazing land, worsened by ongoing droughts.
“These issues threaten the livelihoods of many families, and we must act urgently to address them,” said Lodu.
Lodu called for unity within the community to tackle these challenges, advocating for improved veterinary services, better cattle management practices, and open dialogues between clans to resolve disputes.
Meanwhile the Country Director of UNESCO in South Sudan, Julius Banda, stressed the importance of passing down cultural values to future generations and ensuring that children, especially girls have access to education.
“Let us make sure that we are transmitting our culture to future generations, keeping the language alive, and ensuring that girls stay in school and complete their education,” said Banda.
The Chairperson of the organising committee, John Bero Pitia, said the festival served as a platform for fostering unity, adding the event aimed to bridge gaps between the Mundari and neighbouring communities, some of which have experienced conflicts in the past.
“This event has brought the people of South Sudan together. It has united individuals from all the Payams of Terekeka who came in love and peace,” said Pitia.
He called on the Mundari youth to maintain the spirit of unity, which is crucial for achieving lasting peace.
The celebrations were marked by traditional dances and a strong sense of community, with both local and government officials participating in the festivities.