Juba, South Sudan
My uncle & I in our Shilluk traditional wear
What is Shilluk Traditional clothing?
Shilluk traditional clothing for men and women is called “Lawa” (لاوا), a piece of material which is warped around the body.
For men, they warped it on their left shoulder.
And for women, they warped around their right shoulder. Women can wear all colors except pink and white color which is for men and kings only.
Also, there is colorful jewelry made of beads, and it is diverse in its color. For young girls who are not married, they wear blue. Other colors differentiate the people of Shilluk from which region they come from in Malakal.
What is Shilluk Traditional clothing?
Shilluk traditional clothing for men and women is called “Lawa” (لاوا), a piece of material which is warped around the body.
For men, they warped it on their left shoulder.
And for women, they warped around their right shoulder. Women can wear all colors except pink and white color which is for men and kings only.
Also, there is colorful jewelry made of beads, and it is diverse in its color. For young girls who are not married, they wear blue. Other colors differentiate the people of Shilluk from which region they come from in Malakal.
🔖If you wish to know more about Shilluk people, leave a request via my email
Return to my ancestor's homeland
Sharing with you some moments during my visit to Juba, South Sudan. I have a lot to say, but I’ll tell you what touched my heart the most. When I arrived, I felt safe and the warmth of my family. After 10 years of fighting to regain my freedom to return home due to the unstable situation in my country, I have made it and I won my freedom to be with the people I love. It is a priceless feeling. Most of my family at home woke up around 5:30 -6 am and I got into the routine of waking up early at the sunrise, listening to the sounds of the birds. Then my nieces came to join me to walk around with Hugo for our morning walks. Then we share morning tea and daily meals together. All the family gathers in one place and eats.
I spent all my time with my nieces. We drew together, we played, we talked about their interests, school, games and questions about their wonders in life, and they even helped me to make an art object at home. I dedicated to my family an art object shaped like a heart to always unite them and that they’ll always love each other and be there for each other.
Sharing with you some moments during my visit to Juba, South Sudan. I have a lot to say, but I’ll tell you what touched my heart the most. When I arrived, I felt safe and the warmth of my family. After 10 years of fighting to regain my freedom to return home due to the unstable situation in my country, I have made it and I won my freedom to be with the people I love. It is a priceless feeling. Most of my family at home woke up around 5:30 -6 am and I got into the routine of waking up early at the sunrise, listening to the sounds of the birds. Then my nieces came to join me to walk around with Hugo for our morning walks. Then we share morning tea and daily meals together. All the family gathers in one place and eats.
I spent all my time with my nieces. We drew together, we played, we talked about their interests, school, games and questions about their wonders in life, and they even helped me to make an art object at home. I dedicated to my family an art object shaped like a heart to always unite them and that they’ll always love each other and be there for each other.
Morning mediation & yoga with the sunrise, with the support of my beloved pet Hugo
🐶🍃🌞🧘🏾♀️
🐶🍃🌞🧘🏾♀️
Juba has a beautiful nature and I can’t get enough of the sound of the birds, exotic flowers and plants.
Nature is a blessing and Juba has it, seasonal fruits growth naturally, Guava tree, different types of Mango & Papaya.
The White Nile & Blue Nile
The White Nile, Arabic النيل الأبيض, is a river in Africa, the minority of the two main tributaries of the Nile, the larger being the Blue Nile. The name "White" comes from the clay sediment carried in the water that changes the water to a pale color.
In the year 2024, I have created a booklet for the exhibition BINA, called I am the daughter of White Nile & Blue Nile.
https://www.instagram.com/share/_b6aKPnRx
In the year 2024, I have created a booklet for the exhibition BINA, called I am the daughter of White Nile & Blue Nile.
https://www.instagram.com/share/_b6aKPnRx
Illustration
An element inspired by my trip to Juba, South Sudan. You can check my previous post on my illustrations ( The soul and her creations )
https://binamaracchini.ru/tpost/vj75ggekk1-the-soul-and-her-creations-journey-heali
https://binamaracchini.ru/tpost/vj75ggekk1-the-soul-and-her-creations-journey-heali
Christmas and New Year’s in Juba
My cousins' wives gather to decorate the house and prepare special biscuits for the guests who visit us during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and my nieces get to have new clothes and new haircuts and styles. I was indeed amazed by the experience of following my cousin's wife to the bakery at 6:00 am where she made South Sudanese biscuits and most of the women from the neighborhood in Juba gathered together to make their biscuits & (Kahk & Bete four)
Away from the over-heated temperature, in Juba the weather was +39-40 and Hugo and I couldn’t handle it, but somehow we survived. Then I asked myself what was better, the heat or cold. I thought both were difficult to manage, but somehow one survived it anyway.
My cousins' wives gather to decorate the house and prepare special biscuits for the guests who visit us during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and my nieces get to have new clothes and new haircuts and styles. I was indeed amazed by the experience of following my cousin's wife to the bakery at 6:00 am where she made South Sudanese biscuits and most of the women from the neighborhood in Juba gathered together to make their biscuits & (Kahk & Bete four)
Away from the over-heated temperature, in Juba the weather was +39-40 and Hugo and I couldn’t handle it, but somehow we survived. Then I asked myself what was better, the heat or cold. I thought both were difficult to manage, but somehow one survived it anyway.
Discovering the culture of South Sudan
My cousin took me around to explore the town where there’s a South Sudanese tradition food and, of course, it is different for each tribe as there are 64 tribes in South Sudan.
I visited art spaces, some shops with handmade crafts which are done by South Sudan women. There are workshops available for women to practice & participate in international art fairs and cultural festivals.
I talked to some local artists and saw some beautiful artwork. I also had the opportunity to visit the University of Juba and I checked out the department of art to discuss how students are doing at the Den office. In some African countries, art doesn’t seem to be valued or taken seriously as a career or a means of survival.
My cousin took me around to explore the town where there’s a South Sudanese tradition food and, of course, it is different for each tribe as there are 64 tribes in South Sudan.
I visited art spaces, some shops with handmade crafts which are done by South Sudan women. There are workshops available for women to practice & participate in international art fairs and cultural festivals.
I talked to some local artists and saw some beautiful artwork. I also had the opportunity to visit the University of Juba and I checked out the department of art to discuss how students are doing at the Den office. In some African countries, art doesn’t seem to be valued or taken seriously as a career or a means of survival.
The Baobab House, an art space, restaurant & bar located in Juba. Down below is art works by the Baobab house artists.
Gratitude, Hope & Faith
My impression was that I thought of how Africa is so blessed, yet I wondered about the suffering and struggle of some Africans, or let say the majority of people are in poverty. I also wondered how they get along with everything, yet they find a way to enjoy their lives in the simplest way possible, away from the limitations of basic things which humans need for their daily life that aren’t available most of the time. It is not that there’s no food, it is just that there’s no stability. In the lands of Sudan or South Sudan, you can grow anything from agriculture without chemicals. Everything grows naturally throughout the season.
It was indeed an eye-opener for me to visit South Sudan and a great example of having faith and hope, appreciating the simplest things in life. It made me appreciate life and be grateful for everything I have experienced and have yet to experience.
From Bina's heart to yours with love
It was indeed an eye-opener for me to visit South Sudan and a great example of having faith and hope, appreciating the simplest things in life. It made me appreciate life and be grateful for everything I have experienced and have yet to experience.
From Bina's heart to yours with love