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Anataban Campaign

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Ana Taban
انا تعبان
FormationSeptember 1, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-09-01)
Location
Methodsstreet theater, street art, sculpture, music and poetry

The Anataban Campaign (Arabic: انا تعبان, Ana Taban, meaning "I am tired") is an artist collective based in Juba, South Sudan.[1] The group uses street theater, graffiti, murals, sculpture and poetry to foster public discussion about the issues of social injustice and government accountability, and transparency.[2][3] Anataban members see solidarity, courage, integrity, inclusion, non-violence and political neutrality as the important values guiding their work.

Background

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The South Sudanese Civil War began in 2013. The people live in fear because there is a high level of armed violence and sexual violence, mostly against women.[4] The conflict has affected food production leading to hunger and poverty.

History

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Anataban street art in Juba, South Sudan

In September 2016, Anataban was founded in Juba by a group of South Sudanese visual artists, musicians, actors, poets, and fashion designers. The group was created in response to the South Sudanese Civil War.[5] The campaign emerged from a collaborative workshop held in Naivasha, Kenya, with Pawa 254, a Nairobi-based hub for activists, journalists, and artists.[6] In Juba Arabic, Ana Taban, means "I am tired".[1]

In The Guardian, the Anataban collective said, "We are tired of war and all the suffering that comes with it. We are tired of just sitting by and seeing our country burn. We are tired of having a country with vast natural resources and yet a crashing economy. We are tired of the fact that we have a beautiful cultural diversity that is destroyed by tribal animosity. We are tired of having a starving population yet we have a fertile land. We are tired of being used to kill ourselves for the benefit of a few".[1]

On September 21, 2016, the International Day of Peace Anataban distributed 1000 white handkerchiefs with the message "we are sorry for what we have done to each other" written on them. They spoke with people in the streets, apologizing for what they have had to endure in this country.[7]

In 2017, Anataban launched the campaign "#BloodShedFree2017"[8] It seeks a genuine and permanent ceasefire in South Sudan; security for all citizens; an end to ethnic targeting and violence; protection of the right to free speech; and a return to justice and the rule of law.[9]

On September 14, 2024, it received the "Aglaya International Award" for its contribution to the Culture of Peace, from the Artisophia Foundation, in the Canary Islands (Spain).[10]

Goals

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Anataban members perform street theatre in Juba, South Sudan

Anataban's aim is to create a platform for the ordinary South Sudanese citizen to speak out and have their voice heard. Anataban aims to create awareness of the common struggles of the South Sudanese people, especially the insecurity of war.[11] The basis of Anataban's work is to use artivism to engage and mobilize people through community dialogues on the issues affecting them.[12]

Anataban visits various communities with art, music, street theatre, murals, sculptures, and poetry. They use various platforms such as media opportunities and social media to speak out.[13][14]

Music

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Anataban have released two songs. The first, released in 2016, was titled "Ana taban"[15] The song performed well on local radio stations and reached the South Sudanese diaspora via YouTube.[16] The second song was titled "Malesh", an Arabic expression meaning "I am sorry".[17][18][19]

Street art

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The visual artists of the campaign have painted walls and containers around Juba with images that represent the messages of the campaign.[20] These include anti war messages, and images that represent what the citizens are experiencing in the conflict. Some show positive messages that encourage people to make a difference. This is the first time such street art has been done in Juba.[21]

Social Media Presence

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Anataban has a social media presence. The hashtag #Anataban has become a popular phrase used by South Sudanese youth on social media to express their frustration with the ongoing conflict.[22][23] Anataban have also used short films to spread their ideas. Some of the videos have focused on the problem of hate speech and ethnic targeting.[24]

Sout Al Salaam Awards

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Anataban held its first ever Sout Al Salaam Awards in November 2019. The award ceremony was aimed at recognizing different artists of all arts form who have been positive influencers through their art and have played a significant role in peace building in South Sudan. The awards ceremony saw 14 artists being awarded with trophies in different categories. "Sout Al Salaam" is a Juba Arabic for "Voice of Peace".[25]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Leach, Anna (September 21, 2016). "Tired of war: South Sudan street artists calling for peace - in pictures". The Guardian. South Sudan. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  2. ^ Dahir, Abdi Latif (September 21, 2016). ""I am tired": Young South Sudanese are using art to protest the endless cycle of violence and death". Quartz Africa. South Sudan. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  3. ^ "South Sudan artists paint for peace in Juba". BBC. South Sudan. October 25, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  4. ^ Esslemont, Tom. "Scale of South Sudan sexual violence is unprecedented - Red Cross". Reuters UK. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  5. ^ "Interview with #Ana Taban Art Movement". African Politics and Policy. October 20, 2016.
  6. ^ Bul, Jacob (October 28, 2016). "'Tired' of war, young South Sudanese artists form 'Ana Taban' movement". The Observers - Copyright France 24. South Sudan. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  7. ^ Anataban South Sudan (2016-09-21), #Anataban #PeaceDay Activities September 21st 2016: Juba, South Sudan, retrieved 2017-02-20
  8. ^ Oked, Patricia (10 February 2017). "Youth demand bloodshed free 2017". UNIMISS. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  9. ^ "#SouthSudan #BloodShedFree2017 #Anataban Campaign". YouTube. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  10. ^ "«2nd edition of the Aglaya International Award - Artisophia Foundation»". La Provincia. September 15, 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  11. ^ "UN says fighting in 2 South Sudan hotspots is 'devastating'". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  12. ^ Lynch, Justin (25 November 2016). "South Sudan artists protest civil war with peace campaign". AP. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  13. ^ "Focus on Africa: Is peace possible? Or is South Sudan on the brink? Statesmen, religious leaders and community activists discuss the nation's future in this special podcast". BBC. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  14. ^ Latif Dahir, Abdi (21 September 2016). ""I am tired": Young South Sudanese are using art to protest the endless cycle of violence and death". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  15. ^ Craig, Jill (9 August 2016). "South Sudanese Artists Call for Peace in Song". Voice of America. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  16. ^ "#Anataban Official Video". YouTube. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  17. ^ "#Anataban Campaign New Song Malesh' Official Video". YouTube. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Anataban new song advocates for Forgiveness and Reconciliation". Miraya FM. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  19. ^ Gidron, Yotam (13 January 2017). "South Sudan's New Generation of Pop Starts Confront the Civil War in their Music". Okay Africa. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Tired of War: South Sudan Street Artists calling for peace – in pictures". The Guardian – Global Development Professionals Network. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  21. ^ "South Sudan artists paint for peace in Juba". BBC Africa. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  22. ^ "Anataban Twitter Handle". Twitter. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Anataban Facebook Page". Facebook. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  24. ^ "#Anataban Message of Solidarity to the Victims of Violence in South Sudan". YouTube. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  25. ^ "AnaTaban's first 'Sout Al Salaam Awards' [List of winners]". Hot in Juba. 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
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