The vibrant sounds of traditional drums, colourful cultural attire and energetic dances brought the five-day Morukodo Cultural Festival to a memorable close in Juba, as South Sudan’s senior leaders used the celebration to deliver a powerful message of peace, unity and national cohesion.
Thousands of revellers gathered to witness cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of the Morukodo people, with elders, youth and cultural groups celebrating their identity through music, dance, storytelling and traditional customs.
But beyond the festivities, the event became a platform for leaders to encourage young people to become ambassadors of peace by rejecting violence, embracing inter-community marriages and preserving the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
Addressing the gathering, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Joseph Ngere Paciko, urged South Sudanese youth to see the country’s diversity as a source of strength rather than division.
He encouraged young people from different communities to build lasting relationships through friendship and intermarriage, saying such bonds would strengthen national unity and help overcome tribal divisions that have fuelled conflict in the past.
Paciko said culture should serve as a bridge that brings communities together, calling on the younger generation to reject hatred, revenge and violence in favour of dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Paulino Lukudu Obede, echoed the call, saying cultural festivals are more than celebrations they are opportunities to reconnect communities and promote social harmony.
He urged young people to uphold the values of respect, tolerance and togetherness while preserving the traditions handed down by their ancestors.
“Our cultural diversity is one of South Sudan’s greatest assets,” Lukudu said, adding that unity among communities is essential for sustainable peace and development.
Also speaking during the closing ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, Justin Morona, encouraged the youth to become champions of peace by turning away from practices that divide communities.
He called on them to invest their energy in education, entrepreneurship, sports and cultural activities instead of engaging in violence, saying the country’s future depends on a generation committed to building rather than destroying.
Throughout the festival, cultural troupes from the Morukodo community entertained audiences with traditional dances, songs and artistic performances that celebrated the community’s customs and history. Traditional foods, crafts and cultural exhibitions also attracted visitors, transforming the venue into a colourful display of South Sudan’s cultural richness.
Community elders said the annual festival is not only about preserving tradition but also about passing cultural values to younger generations and strengthening peaceful coexistence among South Sudan’s many ethnic communities.
As the celebrations came to an end, participants left with more than memories of music and dance. The festival concluded with a shared commitment to fostering unity, promoting inter-community relationships and ensuring that culture continues to serve as a foundation for peace and reconciliation across South Sudan.
