Sunday 16 October 2011

Manute Bol


Manute Bol at 7 feet 7 inches tall,was one the world's tallest basketball players
 

Manute Bol in 2007 

Date of birth

Manute was born on 16th October 1962,in either Gogrial or Turalei,South Sudan (formerly part of Sudan).

Place of residence

Manute lived in the United States of America,Sudan,South Sudan and Egypt.

Date of death
Manute died from complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome on 19th June 2010 in Charlottesville,Virginia,United States of America

Background

1.He is a famous former specialist NBA Basketball Player.

2.Manute was of South Sudanese Dinka origin.The Dinka ethnic group feature some of the world's tallest people.

3.He was an activist who founded the 'True Ring Foundation' in 2001 to help raise funds for Sudanese Christians during the Civil war. He is also known for reportedly donating a large majority of his wealth to South Sudanese causes.

4.He also mentored a young Luol Deng,who now plays for the Chicago Bulls.


Luol Deng

Manute played in the NBA for ten years (1985-1995) for:

Washington Bullets
Miami Heat
Philadelphia 76ers
Golden State Warriors (where he ended his career)




Happy Birthday Manute Bol,may you rest in peace.

Images and references: 1.theteaent 2.guzer 3.wikipedia

UK Black History Month


I think it's time to find out more about Black History and this is month is a good place to start!

Sunday 18 September 2011

Check us out on Facebook & co


Firstly,we would like to thank you all for your support over the past few months,it is really appreciated.Please continue to keep in touch with us through our Facebook page and for further updates add our Editor 'South-Sudan Nina'. You can also find us on Twitter,Tumblr  or send us an email at theonlyprojectuk@gmail.com.

Saturday 2 July 2011

Azande people

Name:

Azande also known as Zande to outsiders



Area of residence
Maridi county
Yambio county
Tambura county 
Also within Western Bahr el Ghazal State
    Mythology

    There is no sensational origin of the Azande people. The general myth is that the Azande clans return to life once they die. They are incarnated in the form of some animal, which are mostly lion - for the biggest chiefs of the royal clan, leopard, python, snake, wart-hog, rat and lightning. The death of the animal is therefore the end of all things. Men will not kill the animal they believe they turn into except in self defence.

    Language

    Pazande,also called Zandi,Sande, Kizande and Badjange . 



    Society

    The Azande society is divided into the royal clans – the Avungara, centred on their great leader Gbudwe, his two sons Yambio and Tambura.Whilst the commoners, most of whom could have been incorporated into the Azande through wars, conquest and assimilation. Azande settlements are solitary i.e. a household consisting of the man and his wife (or wives), nevertheless they ascribe to certain social norms and practices. 

    Socio-political system

    The Azande socio-political system is an intricate admixture of feudalism, traditional, political and administrative authority and witchcraft, charm, etc. After the destruction of their kingdom, the Azande now have chiefs, mostly from the royal clan who combine judicial and spiritual prowess.

    The role of the chief

    The chief invokes witchcraft and oracles, for which the Azande are renowned, to determine and administer justice on those suspected of crimes including adultery, murder through bewitching or evil eyes. In the old days, thieves had their ears cut off and their backs scored with a knife leaving large permanent scars.

    Another punishment was to break open an ant-hill and tie the offender on the top of it, intense pain being caused by the armies of soldier ants that would swarm over him.

    Men and witchcraft

    Men suspected of witchcraft, and also occasionally thieves, might be confined in their house and burnt alive. Men accused of committing adultery, especially with their Chiefs’ wives, if not killed outright were emasculated and in addition had their hands, ears and lips cut off.

    Culture and Customs

    The Azande demonstrate a high degree of superstition and are prone to witchcraft and charms. There is nothing as a natural death among the Azande. No matter the cause of a person''s death, he/she is supposed to have been bewitched. The Azande believe that certain people afflicted with mangu cause everyone’s death.

    Culture

    The Azande culture and art is rich and is expressed in songs, music and dance in self-praise. There is an intricate system of oracles and folklore which remained largely oral.

    The Azande produce excellent bark-cloth, baskets woven from barks and leaves of palm, different types and  varieties of wooden craft, tables and chairs, bow and arrows and special iron knives and swords.

    Dance

    The Azande dance is performed predominantly at night during full moons. The men stand in circle moving their feel in lime to the drums and swaying their bodies and heads from side to side the forearms are held parallel to the ground with the palms of the hand turned upwards.


    At times the whole circle goes round in file with the women forming an inner circle. They dance to the sound of the drums and sing topical songs more often rather obscene. Different songs require different ways of beating the drums and all have a chorus in which everyone joins.

    Neighbour relations

    The Azande have had difficult relations with the neighbours namely the Moru, Mundu, Pöjulu and the small groups in Bahr el Ghazal due to their expansionist policy of their King Gbudwe in the eighteenth century. The Azande fought the French and the Belgians, the Mahdist to maintain their independence. They tried in vain to subdue the Dinka in Bahr el Ghazal.

    Images,references and further reading:   Wikipedia  Gurtong

    Western Equatoria State Part 2

    INDIGENOUS GROUPS WHICH RESIDE WITH WESTERN EQUATORIA

    Avukaya people

    Population

    50,000+ people

    Language

    Avukaya Language is part of the Bantu speaking group



    Traditions and Customs

    The Avukaya concept of state and thus, political organisation is rudimentary if it has ever existed. Witchcraft, charm, oracles, play a dominant role in the lives of the Avukaya; particularly in the administration of justice. The chiefs appointed by the state wield power among their people.

    Like the Azande, the Avukaya demonstrate a high degree of superstition and are prone to witchcraft and charm. On death, a person is believed to return to life in another form suggesting that existence of spirits of the departed, who are able to communicate with the living. The Avukaya believe in the existence of the super being (God).

    The Avukaya produce excellent bark-cloth, baskets woven from barks and leaves of palm, different types and varieties of wooden craft, tables and chairs, bow and arrows and special iron knives and swords.t

    Culture
    The Avukaya culture and art is rich and expressed in songs, music and dance in self-praise. There is an intricate system of oracles and folklore which remained largely oral. 
    Neighbour Relations

    The Avukaya neighbour the Moro, Mundu and the Pöjulu. They seem to enjoy cordial relationship with their neighbours unlike the Azande.

    Baka people




     community map

    Population

    25,000 to 30,000 people

    Area of residence
     
    Maridi County
    Yei River County (Central Equatoria State)
     Watsa and Faradje in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 

      Mythlogy

      There is very little so far to indicate their origin. However, the Baka are said to have migrated from Central African Republic in the company of the Bongo, Jur ‘Beli, Moro Kodo and others. They are believed to have moved south-westwards to their present location as a result of Azande pressure.

      Language

      Baka language is related to the Bongo, Moro Kodo and Jur ‘Beli referred to as central Sudanic group.

      Society

      The Baka are predominantly agrarian and the most important social events that bring them together include hunting, marriage celebrations, funerals and funeral rituals, etc


      Moru people

      Name:
      Moro or Moru

      Mythology

      The Moru are said to have come from West Africa but there is nothing in their memory that points to how they came to where they are presently. However, what remains sharply in their memory are the attacks by the Azande which drove the Moru onto a hill near Lui and the raids by slavers from Congo .

      Language


      Moru.The Moru language is related to the Madi, Avukaya, Lugbwara, Keliku and Lulubo.


      Demographics and population:

      80,000-100,000 people

      The Moru nationality consists of clans or sections :

      Meza (the largest)
      Gbariba
      Kediro
      Agyi
      Andri
      Lakamadi
      Nyamusa
      Biti 
      Wira
        Area of residence

        Mundri and Maridi Counties. 

        Spirituality and beliefs

        The Moru people have been greatly influenced by Christianity and many of them are Christians. Nevertheless, the traditional system of beliefs still endures in some areas. Sorcery is practiced. The rainmakers are respected and wield influence in the lives of the people.

        It is difficult for a Moru to disobey a rainmaker unless a bad event occurs,in this circumstance the situation can only be treated by a rainmaker. There are also fortune-tellers and witch-doctors who can cleanse one of the bad omens inflicted by a wizard .

        Images,References and Further Reading: Gurtong (1,2,3)

        Western Equatoria State Part 1


        Name:
        Western Equatoria State

        Province:
        Equatoria

        Flag:


        Map:


        Counties:
        • Ibba
        • Maridi
        • Mundri East
        • Mundri West
        • Mvolo
        • Nzara
        • Nagero
        • Ezo
        • Tambura
        • Yambio
        Capital city:

        Yambio

        Area of Land:

        79,343 sq km.

        Population:

        Over 1,731,341 people

        Tribes which reside in Western Equatoria State:

        Avukaya
        Azande
        Baka
        Moro

        Images,References and Further Reading:  Wikipedia



        Pari people



        Name
         Pari (Paeri) or Jo-Pari (people of Pari)

        Area of residence:
         Lafon County (formerly Torit District).

        History of Pari Land

        In the past Pari lived in Lipul Hill (Jebel Lafon) in Wiatuo, Bura, Puchwa, Pugeri, Kor and Angulumere.
        In 1993 all the villages were burnt down in the war, which left people scattered and now live in various settlements along the Hoss ‘Atondi’ river to the east and the Hinyetti ‘Chol’ river to the east. 

        Language

        Dhi-Pari (mouth of Pari).The Pari people are a Luo speaking people of the Nilotic language group.

        Mythology

        The Pari clearly recognize their Luo origin. Oral tradition has it that all Luo used to live together at ‘Wi-Pach’ somewhere in eastern Bahr el Ghazal. They then dispersed because of the quarrel among the three brothers: Nyikango, Dimo and Giilo. There is another story of fight among two brothers, Uthienho and Giilo. The latter was killed by the former because of jealousy. It seems that this story refers to an event of more ancient times.

        Society and traditions

        There are two traditional political systems among the Pari: chieftainship and mojomiji, a graded age-set system. A village is a political and territorial unit and each has its own hereditary chief (rwath). But the chief of Wiatuo, the largest village, is recognized as the chief for the entire Pari. He is the ‘rain-chief’ (rwadhi-koth) whose main role is to bring enough rain for the whole community. Apart from him, there is a ‘bird-chief’ (rwadhi-winyo) whose job is rather specific: to get rid of weaver birds that may destroy sorghum. He is from Puchwa village, but is responsible for the Pari as a whole.

        Spirituality

        The Pari believe in jwok (pl. juu). There are many places of jwok, including Lipul, where offerings and sacrifices are made. They also say that Jwok is like the wind and is therefore, everywhere. This is both good and bad for human beings. There are traditional healers-diviners or witch doctors. They are both men and women and called ajwa (pl. ajuu). A dying person makes either a blessing (gweth) or curse (cien). The power  of a curse is very much feared, as it may bring disasters not only to individuals but to the entire community.


        References,Images and further reading: Gurtong