South Sudan may be the youngest country in Africa, but its story is rooted in some of the oldest cultures on the continent — including the Nilotic communities often called the “tallest people in the world.” 🇸🇸🌍 A reminder that identity is layered: ancient traditions, new beginnings, and a lineage that continues to rise. Curious where your story begins? Your ancestry might connect you to the very people whose history shaped this region. 🎥: @afromachi #africanancestry #southsudan #nilotic | Af

Among the Mundari people of South Sudan, ash plays a fundamental role in daily life, especially in protecting their skin and hair. They mix it with fat or butter and apply it to protect themselves from the intense sun, insects, and the dry climate. Furthermore, this practice has not only a practical function but also a cultural one: it reflects identity, tradition, and aesthetics, as the appearance of hair and skin treated with ash is a sign of belonging to the group and respect for its customs.