
The Girl from Sudan art by Alba Joshua. PHOTO/COURTESY
The Girl from Sudan is a conviction a young artist called Joshua Alba has had since last year.
It all started one night when Alba came across this girl from Sudan while walking back to his home with a friend.
She was probably between the ages of 20 and 24, blessed with astonishing beauty complemented by her black Toub—a cloth that unites all Sudanese women in culture and identity.
As he crossed her path, he paused briefly. He and the girl stared at each other with shared smiles.
At that moment, Alba understood the compelling force they had to talk to each other, but the cultural divide they faced was wider than any of them could conquer at that moment.
As they looked at each other a little longer, he could see the peace in her eyes, something her people longed to see.
That night, as they walked away from each other, he was haunted by the look in her eyes when they stared at one another without words, she told a story of a generation—a generation that longed for peace.
She had shared her message, and he had understood it.
When Alba returned to his home, he knew he had to immortalise that moment in the way he understood —art.
The title would come easy: The Girl from Sudan but putting it together would be challenging. To do it successfully, he needed to understand more about Sudanese peoples.
He had to interact with them and understand their way of life. In the days that followed, he mustered the courage to talk to a number of them, and to his amazement, they were extremely welcoming and friendly people.
Embracing Sudanese
They spoke with a degree of humility he had never experienced before, and when they would cross paths again, they would exchange gestures of kindness and love.
Language and culture no longer divided them; they were now united by a force that has the potential to unite humankind—love.
As months passed, Alba continued to observe Sudanese peoples who expressed immense degrees of love, unity, and hard work.
Though majorly reserved to their own, like most foreign communities, they did not shy away from a friendly conversation when approached, nor did they shy away from asking for help when they needed it.
The more he interacted with them, the more he understood the value of what it meant to be Ugandan and African, but he had yet to experience the most heartfelt moment.
One Sunday, while walking down the street, Alba saw a group of young Sudanese boys running up the opposite pavement. They were playing a friendly game of tag.
Around them, Ugandans of varying ages smiled, looking at the energetic lads sprinting.
From the look on their faces, you could tell they were cheering them on in their hearts. It was evident they each had a boy they were silently rooting for to win.
To Alba, that was the revelation he needed. He finally understood why Sudanese felt comfort and peace around Ugandans: the latter were peaceful and welcoming to them.
Each Ugandan carried within their hearts a unique form of hospitality that was not dependent on race or culture.
Unknowingly, Ugandans, as a people, were breaking cultural divides. They were becoming the embodiment of Pan-Africanism.
After that Sunday experience, Alba was moved to create art out of the moment. Each day that passed from the night he crossed paths with that girl from Sudan, the mind was awakened to a new understanding of what it meant to be Ugandan.
He now saw with a clearer mind that at the core of the Ugandan character was a form of unshakable hospitality and love.
After several years of individual efforts to improve Uganda’s image, the question that lingered in Alba’s mind as an artist revolved around how Ugandans could reimagine Uganda.
The answer was forthcoming with the help of that girl: it starts with the physical, visual, and literary portrayal of our solidarity, hospitality, and love. That is who we are as a people, Alba believes.
Description of the artwork
The Girl from Sudan is a visual symbol of solidarity between the people of Uganda and the people of Sudan as the latter fight for peace in their nation.
As a people who have experienced innumerable hardships, The Girl from Sudan serves as a universal symbol of the advocacy for peace, unity, and stability—not only in Sudan but in all nations occupied by our brothers and sisters.
The piece depicts a Sudanese woman with multiple skin tones, dressed in a vibrant Toub, symbolising the ethnic diversity, unity, and strength of the Sudanese people.
This strength is embodied by the women, who have always been at the forefront of the fight for equality and stability in their nation and across Africa.
The artwork also highlights their brilliance and positive contributions to change.
The choice of a woman is intentional, symbolising the origin of life that springs from the womb of a woman.
As she gently holds the rays that form the colours of the Sudanese flag, the piece conveys elements of patriotism and unity.
Additionally, the artwork features iconic symbols such as the pyramids and the River Nile, which are vital to the history and sustainability of the Sudanese nation.
The entire essence of this piece is summarised in a poem I wrote before its creation.
“I was 21 when I laid eyes on her. Her eyes told a story of peace— Something her people longed to see. I was 21 the night we met, And I finally understood I could never be free, not until her people were free,” says Alba.
He adds: “That night, when my life intersected with that of the Sudanese girl, I not only understood what it meant to be Ugandan, African, and Pan-African—I became Pan-African. I realised that as an African artist and poet, it is my responsibility to advocate for peace, unity, and stability across Africa and the globe, using the gifts I have.”