CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SOUTH SUDAN

This post discusses the cultural heritage of South Sudan which includes their culture and also list the heritage sites that can be found therein.

Culture of South Sudan

Culture is the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society. The culture of South Sudan encompasses the religions, languages, ethnic groups, foods, and other traditions of people of the modern state of South Sudan, as well as of the inhabitants of the historical regions 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.

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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.

Religion

While the northern parts of Sudan have been predominantly Muslim, South Sudan is predominantly Christian or African traditional animist, and a small number of citizens are Muslims.

Music

South Sudan has a rich tradition of folk music that reflects its diverse indigenous cultures. For example, the folk music of the Dinka people includes highly appreciated poetry, while the Azande are especially known for their storytelling. The drummers of the record Wayo combine spiritual chanting with interlocking grooves. The mesmerizing music, centered around the kpaningbo, a large wooden xylophone played by three people, is completed by the rest of the village, who rotate through a series of bells and percussive instruments.

Food

South Sudanese cuisine is based on grains (such as millet, corn, sorghum, wheat). It uses yams, potatoes, vegetables, legumes (beans, lentil, peanuts), meat (goat, mutton, chicken and fish near the rivers and lakes), okra and fruit as well. Meat is boiled, grilled or dried depending on the dish.

Cultural practices in South Sudan

Men typically inherit their father’s wealth. Children usually live with their parents until they marry. After marriage, many sons live near their parents. It is important to represent your family’s name honorably in South Sudanese culture.

Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. It is the legacy of physical artifacts (cultural property) and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from the past. Cultural Heritage is a concept which offers a bridge between the past and the future with the application of particular approaches in the present.

What is the cultural heritage site?

Cultural heritage sites include hundreds of historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting.

TENTANATIVE LIST OF HERITAGE SITES IN SOUTH SUDAN

A Tentative List is an inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination.