Despite the human misery and the hardships [1] the South Sudanese people have to face as fighting continues in the world's newest nation [2], South Sudanese and friends of South Sudan have taken to Twitter to share their love of the country with the hashtag #ThingILoveaboutSouthSudan [3].
South Sudan has been at war since December 16, 2013 after an attempted coup by soldiers loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar [4].
[5]A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities
Public domain image – original by Jonathan Morgenstein/USAID on flickr
Here is what people love about South Sudan:
when my "all-season" airstrip (one of the better ones in the region) became a lake. #thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6] pic.twitter.com/x51DeBicf7 [7]
— viadya (@viadya) January 16, 2014 [8]
The horns on their cows #ThingsILoveAboutSouthSudan [9] (unoriginal I know, but seriously, they're amazing) pic.twitter.com/iYCcok7aOo [10]
— John Fenning (@berniefenning) January 15, 2014 [11]
This girl who greets me with "Morning! Morning!" no matter the time of day. #thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6] #SouthSudan [12] pic.twitter.com/afe7rD55B3 [13]
— Ryan Musser (@gringo_loco) January 15, 2014 [14]
Cows w horns shaped like lyres. Trees w bark the colour of koi. Scrabble set made of matchboxes #thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6]
— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) January 12, 2014 [15]
The 64 tribes. #ThingsILoveAboutSouthSudan [9]
— Waging Peace. (@modernemeid) January 18, 2014 [16]
Appreciation of height. Tall=graceful. Anyone under 5'10 is short (myself included). #thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6] pic.twitter.com/Wkk3fYPh7N [17]
— Aguil Lual Blunt (@AguilB) January 15, 2014 [18]
#thingsiloveaboutsouthsudan [19] The entire village comes out when you get a flat tire. pic.twitter.com/Q8SB70tluY [20]
— James Turitto (@Sunday_Jimmy) January 15, 2014 [21]
#ThingsILoveAboutSouthSudan [9]: Moving house pic.twitter.com/cQgm15GlU0 [22]
— Jonah Leff (@jonahleff) January 17, 2014 [23]
This guy who likes his office chair so much he rides it to and from work #ThingsILoveAboutSouthSudan [9] pic.twitter.com/PGAUDZtSyY [24]
— John Fenning (@berniefenning) January 15, 2014 [25]
#thingsiloveaboutsouthsudan [19] boon (coffee) made with spices, boiled on charcoal, with 4 spoonfuls of sugar! pic.twitter.com/DiDPVN3tB4 [26]
— Sarah Will (@willowwistful) January 11, 2014 [27]
#ThingsIloveaboutSouthSudan [28] The Greeting gesture- stretching out one's hand and touching the other persons shoulder. Unique
— Hashim Wasswa M (@Hashim11) January 12, 2014 [29]
#ThingsILoveAboutSouthSudan [9] Traditional costumes!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/T4qJrBnsNv [30]
— إيڤا (@Evalopa) January 11, 2014 [31]
#thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6]: Not asking for my name (but rather giving me a new one) http://t.co/mLMWCB0Jyb [32]
— Pernille Bærendtsen (@Dunia_Duara) January 11, 2014 [33]
#thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6]: The most graceful, elegant, beautiful and strongest women on the planet. #SouthSudan [12] women hold up the sky.
— South Sudan Analyst (@SouthSudanPatri) January 11, 2014 [34]
#ThingsIloveaboutSouthSudan [28] My Yei family {home for 7yrs} million star nights, tall grass in the wind, a regal people who rise again & again
— michele perry (@micheleperry) January 14, 2014 [35]
The modern rural Dinka male embrace of pink feather earrings. #thingsiloveaboutSouthSudan [6]
— Ian Cox (@IanECox) January 11, 2014 [36]