Tired of war, South Sudanese youth turn to art to push for peace

Musician Vama Joseph Zaki performs during an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudanese activists are using music, poetry, theater, comedy, dance and fashion to preach tolerance in the world's youngest nation which has been divided by years of civil war.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar, unleashing a conflict that has spawned armed factions often along ethnic lines.

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba, South Sudan, April 22, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Supporters on both sides, many of whom reside outside of the country due to the conflict, have taken the hostilities to the Internet, using Facebook and Twitter to take each other on with posts that are sometimes deemed hate speech.

Enter Ana Taban, which means "I'm tired" in Arabic, a group of young musicians, fashion designers and poets who are using art and culture to demand peace in their homeland.

"I hope for better serviced institutions, better opportunities for youth, a country where I don't need to be from a specific tribe," said Ayak Chol Deng, 31, an epidemiologist, spoken word poet and activist who co-founded the group about a year ago.

Irene Lasu, 26, a spoken word poet and member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph in Juba, South Sudan, April 23rd, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

The group holds regular open-air performances around the capital Juba and in other towns to call for peace and to educate their fellow citizens on the need for a non-violent resolution of the conflict that has cost thousands of lives.

Meen Mabior Meen, 30, a rap musician and founding member of Ana Taban, said it is a platform for the youth to tackle issues that can change the country. He spoke at his home in Juba, sitting next to the crib of his new-born child.

Such powerful aspirations are also attracting people outside of the country to the group, at #Anataban, in order to play their role in encouraging peace.

Manasseh Mathiang, 33, a musician, artivist, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph in Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

They include Abul Oyay, 30, a university student in neighboring Kenya.

Ana Taban's members do not limit themselves to theatrical performances. Bright murals with messages calling for peace, created by its members, can be seen on walls around Juba.

"We are focused on bringing the country together, bringing people together. We are neutral, we are non-partisan," said Jacob Bul Bior, 28, a radio and theater actor.

Winnie Godi, 25, a designer and member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph at one of her favourite places, Jebel Lodge, in Juba, South Sudan, April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

For a Reuters photo essay, click: http://reut.rs/2t9C5AG

Abul Oyay, 30, a painter and a student in Peace and Conflict Studies at USIU in Nairobi, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a portrait in her home in Nairobi, Kenya, February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

(Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

Yousif Mohammed Haroun (stage name Asif Kafi), 30, a rap musician, actor, poet, and member of Ana Taban is seen at his home studio during a recording session in Nairobi, Kenya, February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Members of Ana Taban rest on top of the mountain, with a friend, during a hike on Jebel Kujur (Mountain Black Magic), in Juba, South Sudan, April 22, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Ayak Chol Deng, 31, an epidemiologist, spoken word poet, activist, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph at her home in Juba, South Sudan, April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Winnie Godi, 25, a designer and member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Murals made by members of Ana Taban, are seen on walls in Juba, South Sudan, April 22, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Dancers on stage at an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

People perform during an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Jalpan Bol, a student, painter and member of Ana Taban poses for a photograph in his compound, in Juba, South Sudan, April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Yousif Mohammed Haroun (stage name Asif Kafi), 30, a rap musician, actor, poet and member of Ana Taban, records at a home studio in Nairobi, Kenya, February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Meen Mabior Meen, (stage name Menimen), 30, a rap musician and a founding member of Ana Taban, sits next to the crib of his new born child, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Members of Ana Taban rest on top of the mountain, with a friend, during a hike on Jebel Kujur (Mountain Black Magic), in Juba, South Sudan, April 22, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Youths attend an open mic event organised by Ana Taban at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Kenyi Lado, an artist, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph at Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, which is also his home, in Juba, South Sudan, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu

Jacob Bul Bior, 28, a radio and theatre actor, and a founding member of Ana Taban, poses for a photograph at the Aggrey Jaden Cultural Centre & Cinema, in Juba, South Sudan, April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu