first Annual Cultural Festival at Wau freedom Square in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South sudan
A one-day cultural event was organized by Agriculture Youth Action for Development Agency (AYADA) in collaboration with the state Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports with support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The event brought together 25 cultural groups representing diverse ethnic communities in Western Bahr El Ghazal and the neighboring states.
The event was successfully conducted on Saturday, August 16th 2025 at the Freedom Square in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal state. The event saw performances by all the cultural groups that participated with joy and unity.
The day featured traditional dances, music, and exhibitions that showcased the rich cultural heritage of South Sudan. High-level government officials, including the state Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, and the state Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports participated together with dignitaries from the national government, such as the Under-Secretary from the National Ministry of Culture, Museum & National Heritage, the UNESCO Country Director, and the Acting Head of UNMISS, Wau Field Office.
Speeches delivered throughout the program emphasized the role of culture in fostering peace, social cohesion, dialogue, and reconciliation. Proposals to institutionalize cultural celebrations and establishment of cultural centers in the three counties of Western Bahr El Ghazal State were made.
South Sudan is home to diverse ethnic and cultural groups, each with unique traditions, dances, and heritage. Western Bahr El Ghazal State reflects this diversity, accommodating a total of 26 ethnic communities that live, work, and celebrate together.
The cultural event provided a platform for diverse cultural groups to connect and cherished their traditions, celebrated diversity, and appreciated different perspectives, which ultimately contributed to a more peaceful and inclusive society in a country with a long history of violent conflicts that divided the masses along ethnic lines.
Objectives of the One-Day Cultural Event:
The main objective of the one-day cultural event was to foster social cohesion, promote peace and unity among diverse cultural groups in Western Bahr el Ghazal state and its neighboring states by celebrating diverse cultures and heritage.
Specific objectives of the event were to:
Specific objective one was to provide platforms for different ethnic groups and communities in Western Bahr el Ghazal and neighboring states to share their intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional music, dance, and stories.
Objective two was to provide platforms for different ethnic groups and communities in Western Bahr el Ghazal and neighboring states to showcase their tangible cultural heritage and artistic creations, like traditional clothing, ornaments, pottery and calabash.
The last objective was to promote peace, social cohesion, and mutual understanding among communities. These objectives were achieved to the fullest as they were envisioned.
