First Dinka musician sings in Sudan’s Rumbek
By Manyang Mayom
Jan 27, 2007 (RUMBEK) — Over (10,000) ten thousands Lakes State citizens left their houses and jobs to gather at Akon -Buoi Garden to welcome greater and famous musician called John Kudusy, Known as (JOHN COULD YOU SAY) whom his songs always remained advises to elders, young people of New Sudan who were marginalize and devastated during civil war that broke out 1983 between Muslim North and Christian in South.
Rumbek youth, women, children and elders turn out to welcome romantic musician called John Kudusy with his team of 13 gentlemen for guitar. According to John Kudusy who’s his real name is (Ngong Longar Mou) said that he was serving as SPLA soldier during the civil war in South Sudan that was his first profession before he became musician. John Kudusy left the SPLA army and joint musicians group in 1994 using guitar in jungles bush of South Sudan. His coming to Lakes State has made differences to youth, increase of joy and happiness since Rumbek had been receiving some musicians from difference parts of the World, but John is the first Dinka who is musician that came to perform Dinka music in Lakes.
In 2002 Rumbek received some Ugandan musicians that was brought by World Health Organization to make an awareness on HIV/AIDS epidemic in the area, and also months ago they received some musicians that was coming from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According John Kudusy said it’s very hard to produce an album in Khartoum due to financials constraints. My first production was only 5,000 thousand cassettes until now I am looking forward to Produce some more cassettes. He added in Akon- Buoi Garden, that Rumbek is the political seat of SPLM and that is why I came here to greet the great crowed that gathered here to welcome me today.
John Kudusy Said, “what encourage me to be a musician was the effort made by southern Sudanese people particularly from Aweil county who sponsored my music training in Kenya and also bought all the instruments I am using now and also took me to Khartoum for cassette recording”. So he end with thank to everybody.
His present in Rumbek Yesterday give high moral to all citizens of Rumbek wishes their unborn and born children to do the same as if you moved around Rumbek town you will find the tape of John Kudusy is own by every state and SPLA/M soldiers. With motto of peace make you move freely, sleeping freely, and thinking freely”.
Over thousand people both children and adults attended his music show from 4:30- 10:30PM in Akon-Boui cultural centre as many were eager to see him physically and good songs about peace were base his sung. Like “peace make you move freely” song, which made our citizens realize the benefit of peace in the Southern Sudan.
During entrance at Akon -Buoi the policemen turn to beats citizens that were to enter but John Kudusy totally rejected that abuse to public. He said let everybody here stay in peace and to go back home in peace. The Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Lakes State Mrs. Adak Costa Mapuor told the crow that our vision in government of South Sudan is very clear, and that is why we where been fighting for 21 years civil war with Islamic regime. She encourage the youth of Lakes State in particular and South Sudan in general to take step of education as their first foundation for development, music as second priority, leadership of government of South Sudan is expecting more betterment in education among our young people. She said. Nevertheless, she said we are proud of you if you work for your better future and future of New Sudan and for you to stand firm during referendum period to come.
Since peace was sign in Nairobi Kenya year 2005, we were hoping that, that was the end of killing, but still now inter clans conflicts and misunderstanding has raised death among the young people of New Sudan. All these come because Young people are jobless. It is now the right time for government to create education activities like training centers for youth, and theater for New Sudan. She urges musicians to compose music that talks again tribal conflicts and corruption. Songs that create transformation of young generation of New Sudan out of drinking and bad behaviors.
(ST)