Culture, Unity, and a Call for Respect: Nyandeng Leads Mundari Cultural Festival in Terekeka
By Denilson Denike
A vibrant wave of color, rhythm, and community pride swept through Terekeka on Friday as hundreds gathered for the 3rd Annual Mundari Cultural Festival. The event, which drew high-level government leaders and communities from across South Sudan, celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Mundari people.
Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, who also serves as Chair of the Gender and Youth Cluster, joined Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony and other national and local officials at the opening ceremony of the three-day festival.
Attendees enjoyed traditional dances, wrestling displays, cultural art, and cattle exhibitions—expressions of Mundari identity that organizers say are vital for strengthening national unity.
Speaking on behalf of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Nyandeng urged communities to transform cultural platforms into bridges of peace rather than lines of division.
“As we approach a defining political moment with upcoming elections, we must remember that we cannot build a country if we are divided,” she said. “Peace, love, and reconciliation must be the language for every home and every community.”
Her remarks garnered enthusiastic applause as she emphasized the need for communities to guard against hate and violence.
In a significant address, the Vice President issued a compelling appeal to men to end violence against women.
“God made women beautiful, not as objects to be beaten,” she asserted. “Strength is not measured by hurting your wives or daughters. True strength is protecting them.”
Her poignant words resonated deeply with festivalgoers, igniting conversations around harmful practices still prevalent in many communities.
Governor Emmanuel Adil praised the Mundari community for preserving its traditions while fostering trust among diverse ethnic groups. He encouraged residents to focus on farming and local production as a means to secure food and livelihoods.
“Culture unites us; agriculture sustains us,” he stated. “Let us invest in peace and in the land that feeds us.”
Former Minister of Environment and Forestry, Hon. Josephine Napwon, challenged the youth to view culture as a gateway to connection rather than conflict. She advocated for intermarriage between communities, sparking lively discussions among young people present at the event.
“When our tribes marry each other, we build families of unity, not families of war,” she asserted.
The festival showcased tribes including Mundari, Shilluk, Nuer, Toposa, Kakwa, Kuku, and Bari—highlighting the country’s cultural diversity. Traditional leaders, wrestlers, musicians, and cattle keepers performed together, reflecting the ability of culture to promote inclusion rather than division.
The Mundari Cultural Festival will run until Sunday, featuring cultural showcases, community dialogues, and tours of historical sites throughout the weekend. Organizers hope the event will become a highlight of the national cultural calendar, serving as a reminder that building unity begins with celebrating what makes South Sudan unique.
