The gentleman in the attached photos is Atem Bior Atem, famously known by his oxen-name, "Atem Aduldul". But don’t let his traditional attire fool you. Atem Bior is a great veteran; he was my battalion-mate. He was famously known as Atem Fanan, because he was a composer and the lead singer of the First Battalion (Katiba Wula) of the Red Army of Zalzal Two Division of the SPLA. Atem Fanan was among the first Red Army forces discharged from Dimma and sent to help liberate the Equatoria region in 1988.
Atem Fanan composed many famous revolutionary songs, which aroused emotional and cognitive responses that shaped and altered the experiences of the Red Army fighters. During the training and exercise, Atem’s songs generated beneficial physical and emotional responses, creating a sense of synchronicity and cohesion and instigating zeal and bravery in the Red Army fighters. Remember, revolutionary songs as part of military activity not only helped to generate eagerness in the fighters but also directly contributed to the triggering of beneficial physical and psychological responses. Hence, songs were intrinsic to drill exercise, and joint singing unified soldiers in physical expression and ideology to persevere, endure hardships, and fight adamantly. Through songs, Atem Fanan attempted to promote mental, moral, and physical manhood in the fighters, increase their combat efficiency, and regulate the soldiers’ emotions in line with their revolutionary duties. The following is one of the revolutionary songs Atem composed:
When the Red Army of Gredal is discharged, we will capture Sadiq Bourgeoisies our; and Dr. John in; The Red Army of John is coming You better respect us in Sudan, you uncivilized Sadiq (el Mahdi) Sadiq and Suara Dahab will be banned The old Sudan will be demolished As declared by Dr. Garang New Sudan will be captured by Kalashnikov…
Atem’s songs were not just about artistic innovations but about songs that evoked bravery, combat, and rebellion. What made Atem Fanan unique was his deep thunderous voice, complimented by his Twi accent. When Atem Fanan hauled his voice into the middle of the mountain ranges in Ethiopia, every living creature would be awake. The morale songs composed by Atem were very powerful and they determined the high spirit of the soldiers. The following is such a song:
You Sadiq el Mahdi Sudan is our country Dr. Garang is our president Our land is being messed up by the bourgeoisie That we don’t know the situation of our country. Ya Dr. Garang, bring Kalashnikov to the Red Army of Gredall Sadiq will run!
To this day, many Red Army veterans still remembered quite a number of Atem’s songs even 36 years after they were composed. After getting the job done (liberating the country), Atem has transitioned from the military back to his traditional root. Currently, Aten Fanan is one of the famous artists who produced many albums using modern musical equipment. Also, Atem is a devoted traditionalist who takes pride in his culture and traditions. As a proud of member of his ethnicity, Atem Fanan is spreading cultural understanding to the community through leadership, willpower, devotion, and enthusiasm. For instance, Atem acquired his song ox, (picture attached), according to Reuben Mayen Garang. After the acquisition of Mior Makuei, Atem’s clansmen welcomed and blessed the beast by killing one hundred cows. This honor killing is known as “rioŋ”, “biɔl” or “buɔl” in Dinka dialects.
I took the attached photos from Atem’s Facebook page.