Balimbo the dance of love, peace in South Sudan
April 22, 2006 (JUBA) — Truly indicative of the nature between the people of Kuwait and Sudan, the Kuwaiti delegation that landed in Juba Saturday to launch the first Arab investment in Sudan since the signing of the peace accord was met with hearty Balimbo dance rather than formal dry welcome.
One coordinator of the welcome program, James Denaq, told KUNA “we have come here this morning to show our pleasure and gratitude to the Kuwaiti people for all their support and solidarity since the first peace agreement of 1972.
He added “These dancers came from different tribes and are at the airport to extend love and gratitude in the language that requires no mediator or translation.”
The Balimbo dance, head of the group of dancers told KUNA, is the dance of love and peace and the movements and rhythms have considerable beautiful associations and carry much symbolism.
The Dance is mostly known in association with the Baria and Zandi tribes and the name is that of the main instrument used, a traditional xylophone.
South Sudan folklore experts say the instrument is made from a special kind of wood to give quickly-fading notes. It has up to 15 pieces that are used to make different notes that are determined by length and width of the wooden pieces. The pieces are lined on a mattress of dried grass or banana branches and more than one player can play the instrument at the same time using wooden hammers.
Rich with African traits, the dance is performed to the loud drums and group singing where dancers dress colorfully and play out, most lively, an imaginary battle of strength and valor.
The Kuwaiti delegation included Mundther Bader El-Eisa, board members of Kuwait-Sudan Contracting and Investment Company and is headed by Muadth Al-Fheid and also includes a host of investors.
The delegation arrived in Juba to lay corner stone for three projects at total cost of USD 130 million. The projects involve construction of a river port, a five-star hotel, and lake fisheries and all is to be carried out by the Kuwait-Sudan Contracting and Investment Company in partnership with the Bahr Al-Jabal State Government.
(KUNA)