ABSTRACT This article discusses a selection of state emblems, national symbols and national identity in Southern Sudan. The emblems and symbols are used to provide meaning to a nation in the making and serve as pillars for common national identification to guide the formation of national identity. In essence, they represent the top-down process of politically dominant societal actors’ attempt to effect nation building by seeking to promote their desired type of national identity. Drawing on field observations and analysis aimed at examining aspects of state symbols and national identity, the article shows that the meanings attached to the adopted state emblems and national symbols can be inclusionary or exclusionary and may encourage unity or division. It argues that any attempt to promote unifying and cohesive national identity following a long and divisive armed conflict, as in the case of Southern Sudan, requires the adoption of inclusive and positively meaningful state emblems and national symbols.

中文翻译：

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在苏丹南部建设国家：国家标志，符号和民族身份

摘要本文讨论了苏丹南部的一些州徽，国家符号和民族身份。标志和符号用于在制作过程中为一个国家提供含义，并用作共同的民族识别的支柱，以指导民族身份的形成。从本质上讲，它们代表着政治上占主导地位的社会行为者通过寻求促进其所需的民族身份类型来实现国家建设的自上而下的过程。文章通过对旨在检查国家符号和国家身份的各个方面进行的实地观察和分析得出结论，所采用的州徽和国家符号所附加的含义可以是包含性的或排除性的，并且可以鼓励统一或分裂。