Opinion: Why are we strangling South Sudanese cultures, languages and literature?

April 3, 2020 Opinions

By Yanta Daniel Elisha

Photo: South Sudanese seen dancing in an identified area

April 3, 2020 (SSNN) — I would like to begin with a word of condolence to all African communities and Kuku in particular for the mysterious disappearance of virginity from our most dignified girls. There is no surprise when I bring Kuku, the South Sudanese tribe occupying Kajo Keji County of Central Equatoria State in focus since the girls there, were well known for protecting virginity. Any touch on the sacred flabby flesh was followed with ‘Jongi nan ling’, which means ‘take me all’.

The stories we hear nowadays frustrate us so much that we conclude that this glory has been lost in the pretext of modernity. Does modernity mean crucifying of our glorious African norms and values? Anyway, I understand some unhealthy cultures are worth dropping. Someone may say, ‘old heroes have no admirers, to hell with your traditional norms and values’. Nevertheless, do you know what is happening in the contemporary world?

A pastor in a local church one time perhaps inspired by the Holy Spirit said, ‘There are several indiscipline cases in families and disrespect for the spouses especially by women because of loss of virginity to other men before marriage’. ‘The authority of husbands in families is downplayed and despised since previous experiences of women call for the consideration of comparative advantage in manhood. They end up asking themselves in mental conversation, “who is this useless man after all?”’ The pastor explains.

Some women at the backbench of the temple were jeering whispering that such utterances were not biblical. Others whispered ‘He is immoral’. Reader, do you imagine what disrespect between couples tantamount to? Serious family breakdowns, separation and outright divorce, which are rampant today yet this is time for settlement and development. How do we trust the debauchees? It is said ‘history repeats itself’.

Trust is built on concentrate foundation of truth, reliability, understanding, selflessness and toughness in difficult times of life since life is like a road where there is roughness, steepness, windiness, muddiness, flatness and of course uncertainties. Trust is not just by a mere word of command: TRUST ME. What does it mean to you?

To me, it means my condolence message is genuine: A moment of silence in memory of virginity! Being unsatisfied, some men have gone on rampage like stray dogs just in the quest of the lost virginity only to meet early death of HIV/AIDS sprayed in the most enjoyable swimming pool. Cats have become better than human beings in the conduct of sexuality. What a revolution!
Before we all express condolences for the irreplaceable loss of every aspect of virtue, identity and prestige, which are definitely regrettable and worst of all may be irrecoverable, I would like to intervene by raising some belated concerns to our policy makers and entire citizens of the newest nation as follow: Why have we given overwhelming chance for Arabic domination over the native African languages in South Sudan? Has South Sudan become a member of the Arab League? It is a blessing to know a neighbour’s language, but does that really mean we abandon ours in totality? Could it be because of dominant Arabic speaking and writing in Juba that Sudan is hesitant on the border demarcation with the belief and thought that we speak the same language therefore we are one?
If indeed that is their mindset, why do we not crucify Arabic language in South Sudan for heaven’s sake? Why are most if not all radio stations, televisions and newspapers broadcasting in English and Arabic only? Why can we not have news or programs in local languages such as Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk (Collo), Bari, Ma’di, Zande, Moru, Mundari, Mundu, Avukaya, Lotuho, Acholi, Jur, Kakwa and so forth? How are we displaying South Sudan as a land of great abundance when there is no variety of rich languages and literature in massive practice? Was the Almighty Creator mistaken by planting these wonderful tribes and languages in South Sudan? In other African countries, we hear and even read media coverage in local languages, which respects the principle of proximity. What is wrong with ours? Just to avoid generalisation, in Juba especially there is estrangement of native languages. At least The Eye Radio, formerly SRS 98.6 FM sometimes reads news in local languages: Many thanks to the management for being Afro centric.

Why do we not include native languages in learning institutions in order to develop them so that we can come up with a national one in future? How independent are we from former masters when their languages still dominate us and even their cultures? Why should we import everything from elsewhere including culture, language and literature? Another embarrassing thing is a sect of lost generation in Juba. People, who do not know how to speak, read or write their own languages. What a shame!
I sympathise with these fellow citizens for it has been the making of the then Khartoum government. It is advisable that they change the negative attitude towards originality.

Everyone is a property of a given village that is why upon demise, the remains of the departed are taken to the ancestral homeland for decent burial. This means there is nothing wrong with your village or ‘belet’ as it is commonly referred to in Juba.

It is a huge shame or ‘fadhiyah’ to learn that the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration in the Republic of South Sudan use Arabic language as a yardstick for verifying Nationality. That in my opinion could suitably work in Saudi Arabia. What is our relationship with the Arabs and the Arabic language? Do not accuse me of racism. The fact is Arabs are Asians and South Sudanese are Africans. Moreover, the original people on earth. Although humankind is just one, the distinctions cannot be ignored just for nothing.
Why can we not produce literature materials in South Sudanese languages? I used to enjoy reading storybooks in Bari especially fable stories about the hare, the lion, the leopard and the elephant. They are nowhere to be seen these days. Probably, some of the fable stories prepared some of our current leaders to be what they are now.

Shall we really rest in peace when we die without potential heirs? Frankly speaking or writing in this case, I urge the whole nation to rejuvenate native literature. Some original Bari speakers in Juba have sold the language and literature. Tell me for how much money have you sold our honour?

We hear them speak in classical Arabic, which sounds interesting anyway, however just music to some ears. If all denizens of Juba had shown love for the language and its vital literature, others would have been compelled to learn, and then Bari would have been like Luganda in Kampala, Uganda.

Linguistically, South Sudan needs to prepare to fit in the East African Community. This could be done by introducing Kiswahili and Luganda languages in South Sudan Curriculum of Education. If East African Community is our direction to take, then we are very far from the Arab League of Nations.

I suggest the United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to consider prizes and awards for outstanding media houses, writers, artists, musicians and young people who tend to promote native languages, cultures and literature in South Sudan. Of course, some of our cultural practices call for moderation.

Who can win the Virginity Prize 2020 from the age of 18 and above in Juba? Venturing beyond our boundaries makes us to get lost. Look at the global threat of Corona Virus today! It is good to be global to some extent, but it is distinct to retain some uniqueness for legacy, safety and security. Do not overstep boundaries from now on. Make reforms wherever necessary. Do you understand why the sun remains constant for life? It is through that trait that the simile as “As constant as the sun” comes to exist.
Keep South Sudan safe from Corona Virus by praying to God for protection and by practising safe measures.

The world sometimes envies us for being as natural as life and then to hide the truth, people say “they are backward”. I am shocked to speechlessness wondering why the strangulation of cultures, languages and literature is declaring victory in South Sudan entirely and Juba in particular. Oh God! Time for intervention! 98% of this article was written and published in 2012 in the then Citizen Newspaper. Today, April 2020 we reflect and examine what effect it has created in Juba so far.

The writer was a Reporter for Citizen Television (CTV) and The Citizen Newspaper. He is now a Visiting Lecturer of English, Business Communication Skills and Research Methods at Kajo-Keji Christian College of The Episcopal University (TEU). He can be reached via: yantadaniel@rocketmail.com

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