Katiba Banat: Sisters in Arms
This five-episode Dinka language docu-series explores the reflections of women who fought in one of Africa’s longest and bloodiest conflicts. These Sisters in Arms spent their teen years in training and combat, leading to their displacement and immigration to Canada, where they now live in cities from Ontario to BC. Now mothers and grandmothers, the women have remained close. They have organized a reunion to help raise awareness of their role in South Sudan’s history.
The series weaves together the past and the present through interviews, SPLA stock footage, animation depicting war through the eyes of a child, archival photos, and footage juxtaposing the beautiful people and landscape of South Sudan with the Canadian cities and towns where the women and their families now live.
Women’s contributions to history are often overlooked. As we push outside the dominant narratives surrounding war, these stories create an opportunity for women who gave birth to a nation to write their own legacy. A one hour version of the docuseries is in production, for release in 2024. For international licensing enquiries, contact TVF International.
Episode 1
Displaced
As the women of the Katiba Banat prepare to reunite, they must first reflect on how their sisterhood began the moment they left their homes for war.
Episode 2
The Walk
As the Katiba Banat travel to Windsor, the women are reminded of when they first met as girls on their months-long walk; for some to find safety, while others sought to join the rebellion.
Episode 3
Training and Combat
The Katiba Banat women reflect on their training and active duty during the Second Sudanese Civil War, forming the only female battalion.
Episode 4
Womanhood and War
As the Katiba Banat recount all they have overcome as girls becoming mothers, they share how their sisterhood became the foundation of their survival.
Episode 5
Catharsis
Reunited, the women rejoice knowing their story will be shared with the world, and that their contributions to the independence of South Sudan will now be a part of history.
