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.
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.
"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.
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.
They include Abul Oyay, 30, a university student in neighboring
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.
"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 theater actor.
For a Reuters photo essay, click: http://reut.rs/2t9C5AG
(Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
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