How half a culture gets lost

Who would have thought that the day would come when a country that once prided itself on being Africa’s largest nation, and one of its most diverse regions, would split in half?

Many in the north remain concerned about the fact that Sudan lost 75 percent of its resources when it lost South Sudan. But the loss is about more than this. For countless others, the emotional repercussions of losing half of their culture also remain. It causes an overwhelming melancholy.

On April 9, 2012, a day that some consider a dark one in Sudanese history, the Sudanese government declared the half million South Sudanese citizens residing in Khartoum illegal residents, ordering them to either leave the country or apply for permits to stay.

Take the public show on Ghaba Street in Khartoum that usually attracts tourists as well as locals of all ethnic backgrounds. The vendors there, mainly from South Sudan, used to use the wide street to showcase and sell handmade products, playing on their roots and handicrafts, to eke out a living. 

Artisans made products from local materials, such as bamboo and ebony; a lot of the goods on sale at this street were much cheaper than those sold in downtown Khartoum. 

But today, things are very different. Ghaba Street is just an empty expanse. There are no vendors, no artisans, no handicrafts, no shopping tourists, no photographers and no African culture. 

The Southerners have been gone for over a year now and Sudan and many of its people still mourn the departure of a kaleidoscope of religions, dialects, ethnic groups, foods and traditions. They have had to bid farewell to a rich cultural legacy and a colourful, diverse and beautiful era. 

They grieve the loss of the vibrant South Sudanese music industry. This includes the lively Zouk Beton music, which was often a highlight of regional festivals of music and dance. 

The past few years have been an emotional roller coaster for the two Sudans. But the good citizens of both countries are hoping that this second, post-secession year will bring an end to their ugly and bitter divorce. They hope it will bring a new era, where somehow the cultures, economies, politics and societies of the two nations can co-exist.