KHARTOUM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- In war-torn Sudan, where gunfire and flames drown out daily life, musician Awad Haroun insists that music retains its voice even as conflict engulfs the nation.
Through instruments and traditional dance, Haroun believes peace can emerge from destruction's aftermath.
Sudan has been locked in brutal conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. United Nations data from conflict monitoring group Armed Conflict Location and Event Data places the death toll at nearly 30,000, while the International Organization for Migration estimates more than 15 million people have been displaced.
Haroun, who performs under the name "Zaytoun," leads the "Ahalina Group" in their "Drums of Peace" initiative. The project uses music, dance, and song as life-affirming acts defying fears and deaths amid the bloody conflict while providing entertainment for those living in displacement camps.
"This is an artistic initiative to disseminate peace culture," Haroun said. "It's about musical drums that encourage coexistence among Sudan's diverse communities and call for silencing the sounds of guns."
"We work to make Sudanese music, folk dances, singing, and all other art forms serve our community as society suffers from war's devastation on all fronts," he added.
The group performs throughout Sudan, including Port Sudan in eastern Sudan's Red Sea State. Their venues range from cultural centers to the Red Sea Corniche and displacement shelters.
Performance artist Nada Mubarak said, "We're receiving great response and continuous encouragement. There's a strong interaction with our message, and we hope to create public support for peace and ending the war."
"Sudan is distinguished by its great cultural diversity," she said, noting examples like the Kambala dance from the Nuba Mountains that imitates cattle movements. "Music and dance reflect this diversity, which can catalyze unity, peace, and coexistence."
Sudan's arts community has been devastated by the conflict. Festivals, concerts, and theaters have closed, while many artists have fled to neighboring countries.
Folk artist Suha Awad sees "Drums of Peace" as a small but important step towards art scene recovery in Sudan. "We're making the most of every opportunity to restart our activities, offering performances at festivals, celebrations, and public events," Awad said.
Abdul-Jalil Al-Haj, a Sudanese heritage and music researcher, believes music, singing, and dancing represent common ground among Sudan's diverse populations.
"The 'Drums of Peace' initiative is pioneering the promotion of peace culture, now an urgent necessity," Al-Haj said. He sees these art forms as the voice of the people, symbols of identity, and vehicles for preserving cultural heritage.
