In January, conflict photographer Q. Sakamaki was in south Sudan, documenting the scene after its citizens voted, by 99 percent, for independence. Last Saturday, the new Republic of South Sudan at last was born. While Sudan is predominantly Muslim and Arab dominated, South Sudan is traditional animist, with a strong Christian influence and some Muslims. For decades South Sudan has been wracked by warfare and ethnic and rebel violence that has left 2 million dead. The poverty is crushing and the childhood mortality rate high. Because cattle stealing is rampant, herders have to guard the long-horned animals with machine guns. To ward off insects, some herders apply a powder made with cow dung and fragrant plants to their faces and skin, as seen on opposite page, below left.
