Emmanuel Jal’s story is not only one of war and violence, but also one of reconciliation and peace. His music puts his experiences into words. As a child, in 1987, Jal was taken from his family in Sudan and trained to serve in the rebel army, Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). In almost five years, Jal fought in two civil wars as a child soldier. He was smuggled to Nairobi, Kenya, by a British aid worker, Emma McClune. The story of this aid worker has been told in a book titled “Emma's War” and is currently being worked into a movie, highlighting the complex social issues involved in human trafficking. Jal began rapping to express the repercussions of his experiences. In 2005, he released Gua, and the title track became a number one hit in Kenya. In 2008, the documentary on his life premiered at the Berinale festival and won the Cadillac Audience Choice Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Jal’s music has been featured on the Warchild – Help a Day in the Life compilation, three ER episodes, National Geographic’s documentary, God Grew Tired of Us, Blood Diamond, and John Lennon’s Instant Karma: Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur compilation.

GuaAfricaOnline.com
EmmanuelJal.org

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