Video: Taj Weekes “Janjaweed”
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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.