On Sunday, a few of us went to church in Juba. Picture this: in the parking lot were groups of traditional dancers accompanying regional youth leaders. They were holding flags and draped in beaded accessories. In the backyard rappers were filming music videos at an outdoor bar and playing pool. Inside, a Pentecostal church was belting out an electric-guitar version of “Amazing Grace.” And to top it off, all of this took place at “Club Signature,” amidst a smattering of enormous wild animal sculptures.

—Nina Strochlic