By Baraka John
The Azande Kingdom celebrated its 3rd anniversary, focusing on strengthening its cultural heritage through marriage, language, and agriculture. The theme of the celebration, “Make Azande Kingdom Great Again: Strengthening Our Culture through Marriage, Language, and Agriculture,” emphasized the importance of unity and renewal of cultural values.
The royal address, delivered by Samuel Bati, reflected on the vision of the kingdom’s ancestors and called for the preservation of key pillars: marriage, language, agriculture, and unity. The monarch stressed that strong families, rooted in community marriages, are the backbone of the kingdom, urging the youth to embrace family life as a cornerstone of cultural continuity. The importance of language, specifically Zande, was highlighted as essential for preserving the Azande identity, with a call for teaching the language to future generations to ensure the survival of traditions.
“This is not just an anniversary, but a secret moment of reflection, renewal and reaffirmation of our collective purpose. It is a moment to reflect on our ancestors’ vision of moving forward to strengthen our identity and elevate our people”. Read the royal address.
Agriculture, once the foundation of Azande prosperity, was also a major theme. The monarch encouraged the revival of large-scale farming, focusing on cash crops like coffee and avocado to boost economic growth. A focus on youth empowerment through agriculture and vocational training was also central, with proposals for reforestation programs and the establishment of technical schools to equip the youth with skills for the future.
The anniversary also highlighted the need for business development and infrastructure improvements to create economic opportunities for the youth within the kingdom. The monarch emphasized that Juba should no longer be seen as the only source of opportunity and that the kingdom must become a hub for economic activity.
Lastly, the importance of peace, unity, and cross-border collaboration with Zande communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic was stressed as vital for the kingdom’s growth and prosperity.
The 3rd anniversary celebration served as both a tribute to the kingdom’s past and a call to action for a prosperous future, centered on cultural preservation, economic development, and youth empowerment.