مدنية حرية وسلام CIVILIAN RULE. FREEDOM. PEACE. Storytelling as War Resistance in Sudan

Abstract

In times of war, personal narratives become one of the few things that survivors are left with. The ongoing war in Sudan has been named the worst humanitarian crisis in recorded human history; with millions facing famine, displacement, and unimaginable violence. Despite this, the world stands idle and indifferent to their suffering. This thesis explores the power of storytelling as a tool for resistance, historical preservation, and advocacy. By centering firsthand accounts from displaced Sudanese individuals; it counters the dehumanization– minimizing human lives into statistics and policies– that typically drives war narratives. The study examines storytelling’s role in processing trauma, reclaiming agency, and challenging dominant narratives shaped by governments and media. Through historical contexts, theoretical analysis, and collected testimonies, this work highlights how personal stories shape collective memory, resilience and justice. It aims to ensure that Sudanese voices are neither ignored nor forgotten. In amplifying their stories this work serves as a testament to the idea that storytelling is more than just recounting events- it is a means of reclaiming identity, fostering empathy, and demanding justice. Keywords: storytelling, war, narrative, displacement, agency, humanize, preservation