On March 8, 2019, in Khartoum, Sudan, Alaa Salah, a 22-year-old passionate protestor stood on top of a car above thousands of protestors and with her arm raised in the air, finger pointed toward the sky she ignited the crowd with chants of “freedom” and “revolution”. The notable moment captured by Sudanese photographer Lana Haroun went viral instantly after Haroun’s post on Twitter. The photo received global praise and further called attention to Sudan’s uprising. Salah was introduced to the world as the voice and face of Sudan’s uprising.
Alaa Salah, the woman celebrated as “the symbol” of Sudan’s popular uprising – illustrative of women’s role in the protest – and thus, crowned a title given to “strong women”, Kandaka (“Nubian queen”), says protests traditionally have had a female spine in the Sudan. Taking her passionate words to twitter, Alaa Salah said in a post: “Sudanese women have always participated in revolutions in this country. If you see Sudan’s history, all our queens have led the state. It’s part of our heritage. I am very proud to take part in this revolution & I’m glad our revolution has achieved its first goal”.
Demonstrations against the President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir began in December over a rise in the cost of living and intensified calling for army intervention to remove the president. The president was ousted by the military on April 11, 2019.
See below how the symbolism inherit in Haroun’s photo has inspired numerous Sudanese artists, depicting Alaa Salah as Kandaka, “Nubian queen”.
By Amria Ali
