The Healing Power of Music, Dance, and Art in South Sudan
By Suzan Peter Mabuong
In South Sudan, where scars of war and division still run deep, music, dance, and art have become more than just creative expressions. They are bridges of healing, tools of unity, and voices of resilience. From the beat of the drum in a village celebration to the rhythm of contemporary afro-fusion songs in Juba, these cultural expressions carry the soul of people who refuse to let conflict define their future.
Across the country, communities are rediscovering the power of creativity to bring people together. Whether it’s through traditional dances performed at weddings or young artists singing about hope and peace, music and art are slowly reshaping the narrative of South Sudan. They remind us that unity is not just a dream but a choice we make when we come together as one people.
For Mary Gune Body, a community advocate, music, dance, and art are “life.” With a soft smile, she recalls a wedding in her community where people from different tribes gathered to dance. “In that moment,” she says, “we became one family. Music heals pain and reminds us of who we are as South Sudanese.” Mary believes that these forms of expression speak a language that needs no translation, a language of love, healing, and togetherness. She loves traditional music and dances the most because they connect her to her roots and give her a sense of identity. “If we don’t keep these traditions alive, we lose who we are,” she says, urging for greater support for artists through training, platforms, and funding.
Respected community leader and scholar Mangok Mangok Mayen shares a similar perspective but takes it further. “Music, dance, and art are powerful tools for change,” he says. “Politically, they unite people beyond tribal lines. Economically, they can create jobs if supported. Socially, they heal communities torn by conflict. Spiritually, they uplift souls and draw people closer to God.” For Mangok, investing in music and art is not optional, it is essential. He calls for policies that protect and promote artists, more cultural programs, and platforms for young people to use their creativity to build peace and prosperity.
Even artists themselves are stepping forward with their voices and stories. Akuei Daniel Bol, a rising Dancehall and Afro-fusion musician, says music became his therapy and motivation. “Every beat and lyric I create carries a piece of my journey, the highs, the lows, and the dreams that keep me moving forward,” Akuei shares. “Being South Sudanese comes with many struggles, but music helps us heal. I make music not just for myself but for everyone who sees themselves in my lyrics and feels uplifted by my sound.”
The impact of music, dance, and art in South Sudan reaches far beyond entertainment. They have the power to heal communities fractured by years of conflict. When people gather to sing or dance together, barriers built by politics, tribes, or war begin to crumble. These moments create spaces of trust, laughter, and joy vital ingredients for reconciliation.
Socially, music and art foster dialogue and understanding. Economically, they can spark industries that create jobs for young people who might otherwise be vulnerable to violence or unemployment. Spiritually, they provide hope and comfort, reminding people that they are not alone in their struggles and that God’s grace remains present even in hardship.
Yet, despite this vast potential, the arts remain underfunded and underappreciated in many parts of South Sudan. Community leaders argue that this needs to change and urgently.
To sustain and grow these activities, both the government and the community must act. Community centers should be built or strengthened in cities and villages to serve as safe spaces where young people can gather, train, and share their talents. Schools should incorporate music, dance, and art into their programs, not as extracurriculars but as essential parts of education.
The government must take a leading role by creating policies that protect artists’ rights, providing grants or funding to support music and art initiatives, and promoting cultural events that bring communities together. Private businesses and NGOs can also play a significant role by sponsoring concerts, workshops, and festivals that give artists a platform to shine.
Mangok emphasizes that these steps are more than just investments in art, they are investments in peace and nation-building. “When young people have platforms to express themselves positively, they become agents of unity instead of division,” he says.
International partners and NGOs can also support by offering training programs, creating exchange opportunities with artists in other countries, and funding creative centers in major cities and rural areas. These initiatives can nurture the next generation of artists while strengthening the cultural fabric of the nation.
The people of South Sudan also have a part to play. Supporting local artists by attending events, buying local music, and celebrating traditional dances ensures that these cultural practices remain alive. Communities can also organize cultural festivals, where different tribes share their music, dances, and stories, fostering pride and mutual respect.
Mary Gune Body believes that unity begins in these small moments. “When we sing and dance together,” she says, “we start to see each other not as Dinka, Nuer, Bari, or Zande, but as South Sudanese, one people, one nation.”
South Sudan is a young nation, but it is rich with cultural heritage that, if embraced, can be the foundation of peace and reconciliation. Music, dance, and art are not magic solutions to all problems, but they are powerful starting points for healing a nation that has known too much pain.
The road ahead will not be easy, but as Mangok says, “Preserving our culture is not optional, it is the foundation of unity, identity, and nation-building in South Sudan.”
Now is the time for the government, NGOs, private partners, and ordinary citizens to invest in the creative spirit of the nation. By building spaces, offering support, and nurturing talents, we can turn the rhythm of our culture into the heartbeat of a peaceful and united South Sudan.
Short biography:
Suzan Peter Mabuong is a weekly columnist with ‘The City Review’ on social impact. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Having lived in Canada and the United States for more than two decades before returning to South Sudan, Suzan brings a unique perspective that goes beyond the surface to explore the real stories shaping the nation. Suzan stands firm on the promises of God’s protection: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Contact Suzan at: beyondtheheadlines.ssd@gmail.com
