CRN News Desk| The Azande Community Organization (ACO) has announced plans to hold its first Azande Cultural Festival in Juba, aimed at celebrating cultural heritage while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among communities in South Sudan.
The two-day festival will take place on November 27 and 28, 2026, at Nyakuron Cultural Centre under the theme, “Celebrating the Rich Heritage of the Azande and Promoting Unity and Peaceful Coexistence.”
According to the organisers, the festival will provide a platform to revive, preserve and showcase Azande cultural heritage while encouraging peaceful coexistence and inclusive economic participation.
The event will feature cultural practices designed to help younger generations learn about Azande traditions and appreciate the role of cultural diversity in strengthening relations among communities.
Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Hon. Pia Philip Michael, said the festival will create an opportunity for the Azande people to preserve and pass their traditions from one generation to another.
“This festival is an opportunity to learn about Azande culture, preserve our traditions, and strengthen unity across generations. We believe culture is best passed from one generation to the next through shared practices that others can see, learn from, and appreciate,” Pia said.
The festival will also bring together other cultural groups and communities from across South Sudan to exchange experiences and promote greater understanding of the country’s cultural diversity.
Pia said music, dance and storytelling will be among the activities used to educate young people about Azande heritage while promoting peaceful relations with other communities.
“Our culture defines who we are, and it is a gift we share with our neighbours. Through this festival, we teach our children about our heritage through music, dance, and storytelling, while renewing our commitment to unity and peaceful coexistence with all communities in South Sudan,” he said.
The organisers say the festival is also intended to demonstrate how cultural heritage can contribute to peacebuilding, social cohesion and national unity in a country with diverse ethnic and cultural communities.
The Azande Kingdom and ACO have invited members of the Azande community, other cultural groups, stakeholders and the general public to attend the two-day event and experience Azande traditions and South Sudan’s broader cultural diversity.