23 June 2014 - Aiming to showcase South Sudan’s rich cultural diversity in a new national museum, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a government team has been touring several states to meet with communities.

Currently in its pilot phase, the so-called “Travelling Exhibition” or mobile museum is visiting Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El-Ghazal. Due to violence and widespread displacement of populations, other states remain inaccessible.

Travelling to remote areas, the team is collecting cultural objects and speaking with local residents about their representation in the museum. The collection will consist of videos, audio recordings, life stories, photographs, and other objects.

To date, communities have contributed about 81 objects, 55 recordings and 44 short videos to the exhibition, which began the tour in May and should complete it by mid-August.

"This project is a great opportunity to document South Sudanese cultural expressions and traditions before they disappear,” said Justin Thompson, Director for Culture in the Eastern Equatoria Ministry of Gender, Culture and Social Development, and Traveling Exhibition team member. “I have been waiting to be part of this for many years."

Focusing the project on peaceful states helps tackle the conflict’s spill-over effect, engaging people in an indirect peacebuilding process. It gives communities an opportunity to get to know one another by discovering what others have contributed to the collection.

"Social cohesion and sustainable peace requires strengthening a common national identity and sense of belonging," said Salah Khaled, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to South Sudan.

The future national museum will be a place where South Sudanese can tell stories, discover their common heritage and find a forum for constructive dialogue. To achieve this goal, the museum must be inclusive, both in its creation and functioning.

The visit of the traveling exhibition to villages often leads to impromptu community festivities. Large crowds celebrate with music and dances, while groups of children gather around storytellers.

"The participation of the communities in the project is inspiring and shows just how much culture connects people and provides channels of dialogue," said UNESCO Culture Specialist Ellen Lekka.

The museum project, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is funded by Open Society East Africa (OSIEA), with support from the French government.