Culture of South Sudan

Updated on Jan 02, 2024

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The culture of South Sudan encompasses the religions, languages, ethnic groups, foods, and traditions of peoples of Southern Sudan.

Languages

The official language of South Sudan is English.

There are over 60 indigenous languages, most classified under the Nilo-Saharan Language family; collectively, they represent two of the first order divisions of Nile Sudanic and Central Sudanic.

In the border region between Western Bahr Al Ghazal state and Sudan are an indeterminate number of people from West African countries who settled here on their way back from Mecca—who have assumed a traditionally nomadic life—that reside either seasonally or permanently. They primarily speak Chadian languages and their traditional territories are in the southern portions of the Sudanese regions of Northern Kordofan and Darfur.

In the capital, Juba, there are several thousand people who use non-classical Arabic, usually a pidgin called Juba Arabic, but South Sudan's ambassador to Kenya said on 2 August 2011 that Swahili will be introduced in South Sudan with the goal of supplanting Arabic as a lingua franca, in keeping with the country's intention of orientation toward the East African Community rather than Sudan and the Arab League.

Religion

While Sudan to the north is predominantly Muslim, South Sudan is predominantly Christian and African traditional animist, though Islam is not altogether absent.

National holidays

1st January Independence Day (1956)

movable date in July–October - Eid al-Miraj (Rajab al-Adha), a Muslim festival in memory of the night journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem and back

movable date in October and February - Muharram, the day of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein

moving date between late December and early February - Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bairam)

movable date in March - August - Mawlid, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad

movable date in late October - early November - Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr), the feast of breaking the fast, the final Ramadan

30th June Anniversary of the Revolution for National Salvation

25th December Christmas

Day off - Friday, in the southern regions, where the spread of Christianity, - Sunday

Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups present in South Sudan include the Nuer, Dinka, Kakwa, Bari, Lugbara and Keliko people, Azande, Muru, Baka, Madi, Mundu, Avokaya, Jur people, Shilluk, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Balanda, Ottuho (Latuka and Lokoya people), Topossa, Lango, Dungotona, and Acholi.

Society

Most South Sudanese kept the core of their culture even while in exile and diaspora. Traditional culture is highly upheld and a great focus is given to knowing one's origin and dialect. Although the common languages spoken are Arabi Juba and English, Kiswahili is being introduced to the population to improve the country's relations with its East African neighbors.

Music

Due to the many years of civil war, the culture is heavily influenced by the countries neighboring South Sudan. Many South Sudanese fled to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda where they interacted with the nationals and learnt their languages and culture. For most of those who remained in the country, or went North to Sudan and Egypt, they greatly assimilated Arabic culture.

Many music artists from South Sudan use English, Kiswahili, Arabi Juba, their local language, or a mix of languages. Popular artist Emmanuel Kembe sings folk, reggae, and Afrobeat. Yaba Angelosi sings Afrobeat, R&B, and Zouk. Dynamiq is popular for his reggae releases. Emmanuel Jal is a hip hop artist.

There are few female artists that South Sudan has produced so far. Queen Zee is known for her rap music.