The King of the Azande Kingdom, Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue, urged all South Sudanese tribes to actively promote and preserve their cultural heritage as a pathway to national unity and enduring peace.
In his address at the opening of the three-day Pojulu Cultural Festival in Juba, the Azande monarch underscored the vital role of cultural preservation in fostering national unity and development.
He emphasized that understanding one’s identity through language, traditions, and customs is essential for self-realization and societal progress.
“Time has come for South Sudan to know why God created them as human beings; you need to have your names in your tradition and in your language. What you eat should be what defines you, and when you dream, you dream its name in your language, and that is what we need to impress,” he said.
He urged the Pojulu elders, leaders, and youth to return to their communities with a message of peace, advocating for harmony across all regions of South Sudan.
“The chiefs of Pojulu and youths should take back their areas message of peace. There should be peace in Equatoria region, there must be peace in Bahr el Ghazal region and there should be peace in Upper Nile,” said Azande Monarch.
Atoroba called upon the government to strengthen the Ministry of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage, highlighting the importance of supporting cultural events to promote inclusivity and national cohesion.
This message aligns with broader efforts in South Sudan to use cultural festivals as platforms for peacebuilding and unity.
