More than 30 traditional religious leaders gathered in Juba for Pan-Madhol spiritual worship for peace in the country.
Pan-Madhol is the name of the God in some local languages in South Sudan.
The two-day prayers conference brought together spiritual leaders from the three regions and the three administrative areas.
The assembly was under the theme of Pan-Madhol-Dit & Truth we Invoke, Lament and Act Spiritually to Protect our, Culture, Tradition, and Ethics.
According to the organizers, the conference aimed at garnering resources for cementing unity solidarity, nation healing and saving souls, livestock and properties.
The local priests and prophets prayed for peace, rain and well-being of South Sudanese during the last day of the event.
Hakim Adwok, one of the priests, said they are trying to revive traditional beliefs that vanished in the shadow of Christianity and Islam.
“Pan-Madhol wanted to establish African religions, but the colonialists prevented him from doing so. We pray today to end the ancient curse of bloodshed,” said Adwok.
“We pray to this god when the rain stops in the Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria regions. These gods responded, and rain descended upon us. But people abandoned this traditional religion.”
“Today is the conclusion of the prayer programs of Pan-Madhol, and we slaughtered a white bull and a white sheep. We have gathered from all the regions of the country and prayed today for the end of tribalism in the country.”
“Through this Pan-Madhol gathering, we try to encourage ourselves and search for ourselves to know where we are headed,” said another participant Wuor Gatduel.
“This is by adhering to customs and traditions so that our identity is not lost. Because these traditions are in line with its dance, language and god.”
The three main religions followed by South Sudanese are Christianity, traditional African religions (mostly animistic beliefs) and Islam.
Historically, Christians and animists share a good and respectful relationship.
