Independence Day

Marching to the County Headquarters

No words can describe the feelings the Sudanese felt this day. Oppressed by the British until 1956, only to be released to the arduous rule of the Arabs. This was called Anglo-Egyptian, the ruling of those who colonized Africa. The reign of the Arabs was a particularly difficult one for the Sudanese. The Arab-led government in Khartoum does not value the lives of the Sudanese, nor do they respect their religious views. Islam is the forced religion in the north, reprimanding those who opposed, and escalating the the point of arresting those who are seen carrying a Christian bible. For those sudanese who still worship despite the consequences results in either death or watching their church burn to the ground. Because the Sudanese are seen as inferior, the government in the north declined all development of the south, thus leaving the south in tremendous poverty. Finally, those who have seen the atrocities committed and the extent of the oppression enforced upon the south spoke out thus voting in favor of a referendum.

Never before had my cheeks been sore from smiling, but today was a glorious day. Thousands of people gathered to start the celebration at 9am all with an enormous grin from ear to ear. The sense of people were that they were for once relieved. Comparable to taking a breath of fresh air after holding your breath to its maximum. These Sudanese were breathing in freedom, for the first time.

Once we all gathered in Freedom Square, we marched in line led by the Commissioner followed by other government members and Bishop Peni than everyone else followed. We reached the old headquarters of Nzara County, said a prayer, and continued until we reached the new headquarters of Nzara County, which happened to be a mile away. The plan was to raise the flag there and head back to Freedom Square for further programs. I was asked to play the National Anthem of South Sudan during the raising of the flag. I was honored to do so and wasted no time learning it. It is custom for the starting u of something special to slaughter a bull, and thats indeed what we did.

Counties were not allowed to raise their flag until the Capital did. We waited three hours for Juba to raise their flag, and in the meantime danced like there was no tomorrow.

The programs in Freedom Square consisted of speeches and entertainment in between. The youth of Nzara Cathedral prepared a dance for the celebration and preformed it, they convinced me to dance with them and it was something I couldn’t resist. The programs at Freedom Square ended around 6pm concluding with Bishop Peni delivering a sermon and a prayer.

Dinner was provided by the Commissioner, in which he had 2 bulls slaughtered and prepared for the feeding of thousands.

Today signify's the birth of a brand new country. Today, the curse of oppression lifted and today the Sudanese breathed in free air. Congratulations South Sudan.