To commemorate the birth of Southern Sudan, reggae artist Taj Weekes has released this stunningly beautiful video as a musical memorial to all those who have suffered at the hands of the mounted devils known as the Janjaweed. The video is done in a captivating style of animation that turns the story of the Janjaweed into a metaphorical tale about a botanical infestation that sweeps across the land. The depiction of the Janjaweed as a species of cancerous floral cyclops seems like something out of Dr. Seuss’s nightmares, but the fantastical images imbue the song with a semblance of grandeur, as if to say, “The Janjaweed are more than just criminals, they are a supernatural force of pure malevolence.” It’s an important reminder that amidst the joy and spectacle of South Sudan’s independence, there are still many wounds to be healed beneath the surface.
Video: Taj Weekes “Janjaweed”
To commemorate the birth of Southern Sudan, reggae artist Taj Weekes has released this stunningly beautiful video as a musical memorial to all those who have suffered at the hands of the mounted devils known as the Janjaweed. The video is done in a captivating style of animation that turns the story of the Janjaweed into a metaphorical tale about a botanical infestation that sweeps across the land. The depiction of the Janjaweed as a species of cancerous floral cyclops seems like something out of Dr. Seuss’s nightmares, but the fantastical images imbue the song with a semblance of grandeur, as if to say, “The Janjaweed are more than just criminals, they are a supernatural force of pure malevolence.” It’s an important reminder that amidst the joy and spectacle of South Sudan’s independence, there are still many wounds to be healed beneath the surface.