On unpaved ground in Port Sudan overlooking the Red Sea, General Kidi and Ganga Farmer perform rap songs to the beat of music using loudspeakers, while the singing delights the audience, prompting applause and ululations. The founders of the band "Voice of the Nuba Mountains" hail from South Kordofan state, which has long rebelled against the government. The founders relocated to the capital Khartoum following the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in the 2019 popular uprising. Four years later, the artists, now part of the cultural scene that thrived after al-Bashir's removal, find themselves on the move once again after the outbreak of war in Khartoum between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. The band members are among over five million people displaced from their homes by a conflict that has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, yet it has allowed new audiences to enjoy the band’s distinctive creativity.
Ganga Farmer (37 years old) mentioned that the war has enabled them to connect with many people in Sudan outside of their tribe. The band, formed in 2014 with aims to promote the culture of the Nuba Mountains, participates in workshops to teach music and dance specific to the region. Their songs, performed in Arabic, English, and languages from the Nuba Mountains area, predominantly focus on social issues, such as children's right to a better future. General Kidi (29 years old) expressed hope that the band will someday tour the country to spread their message. He stated that they want the voices of the Nuba Mountains people to reach the rest of Sudan through music. He continued that he wants to present the world with an image of Sudan that is not associated with war but rather with traditions and the various forms of music. However, he feels sorrow that their mission cannot be fulfilled without peace solutions.
