
South Sudanese Onyx Skin in Nile Valley Art
The jet-black, onyx skin of South Sudanese people has long been a striking feature of African diversity, and in ancient times, it found a place in the art of the Nile Valley. From Nubia to ancient Kemet (Egypt), South Sudanese phenotypes were celebrated in wall paintings, sculptures, and reliefs, reflecting the region’s embrace of all skin tones. The Know Thyself Institute highlights how these depictions weren’t just artistic—they were a testament to the Nile Valley’s cultural unity, where diverse peoples came together to create a civilization that still awe us (Know Thyself Institute, 2025). Imagine a time when onyx-black skin…