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

        Madi people

        Name: 
        Madi (Mà'dí)

        Area of residence:
        Torit county

        Madi People are found mostly in Uganda with the minority found in Southern South Sudan

        Population:
        80,000

        Environment:
        Madi territory is hilly and traversed by rivers and streams. 

        Economy:
        Their economy is based on subsistence agriculture, in which the main crops are sorghum, maize, cassava, groundnuts and tobacco.The Madi also rear small herds of cattle, goats and sheep as well as fowl.

        Language:
        Madi ti .The Madi language is part of the Moru-Madi group of languages




        History:

        The mystery of the birth of their origin tends to puzzle the Madi, whose beliefs are based on reproduction and hence, their origin as a people.

        Rabanga is the supreme being responsible for creation. In addition to being a spirit, Rabanga was also regarded as the earth in the sense of ‘Mother Earth’. This was grounded in the logic that everything is born from the earth.


        Rainmaking
        • There are more than 45 rainmaking centres . 
        • Their are only two exceptions rain could be made by the rainmaker by using a special set of stones which, were usually white in colour. 
        • The Madi believe that ‘rain stones’ come with rain from the sky and they are categorised as ‘male’ and ‘female’ stones.

        Spirituality and Beliefs

        The whole life of the Madi is centred on the belief that their ancestors survived after death as spirits known as ori. It is believed that the ori could intervene directly in human affairs. The Madi attribute every misfortune to the anger of a spirit and in the event of a misfortune or sickness, they would immediately consult an odzo or odzogo (witchdoctor) to find out which ancestor was behind the ordeal.


        Sacrifices were then offered to the particular spirit in order to avert its malign influence on the living. The powerful families among the Madi bas were believed to have powerful ancestral spirits to help them. ''Babu-garee'' constitutes the whole paraphernalia of the spirits of the dead.

        References,Images and further reading: Gurtong

        Acholi

        Name
        Acholi



        Population:
        30,000 - 50,000 people inhabiting what is now

        Language:

        Leb Acholi (Acholi).Acholi are  a Luo speaking group.


        Area of residence

        Magwe County, originally part of Torit District on the east bank of Equatoria,which is now part of Eastern Equatoria State. 

        History

        The Acholi are part of the wider Acholi ethnic group where the majority reside in Northern Uganda,in area known as Acholiland.

        Different accounts attest that the Acholi group was formed from different people who inhabited the area as the result of Luo migration and therefore assert that the Acholi are a product of intermarriages between the Luo and the Madi; being Luo in language and custom and therefore closely related in history to the Alur of West Nile, the Jopadhola of eastern Uganda and the Joluo of Kenya, the Shilluk, Anyuak and other Luo groups in the South Sudan.

        Customs:

        The Acholi society is a sedentary, agrarian community organised in chiefdoms, which vary greatly in size but consist of a cluster of villages including the surrounding territory used for agriculture and hunting over which the Rwot exercise his authority.

        This territory comprises of the aristocrats who are the agnatic kins of the Rwot commoners who are not related to the Rwot. The villages formed a protected ring around the royal village ‘gang kal’.

        Culture:

        The Acholi culture is expressed in songs, music and dance. The Acholi compose tuneful songs to incidences of interest and colourful communal dance .


        Relationships

        The Acholi have cordial relationships with their neighbours  Madi but not with the Lotuka or Lokoya.    
        The Acholi neighbour:
        The Madi to the west and southwest
        The Lokoya and the Lotuka to the east and northeast
        The Lulubo and Bari to the north. 
          Diaspora

          The Acholi are now also found in :
          Northern Uganda
          Americas
          Europe
          Australia.
            References,Images and further reading: Gurtong

            Eastern Equatoria State Part 2

            INDIGENOUS GROUPS WHICH RESIDE WITHIN EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE INCLUDE:

            Dongotono people




            Population:

            Over 20,000 people,

            The Dongotono people reside in:

            Chakari
            Ikotos
            Isoki
            Bira
            amongst other areas
              Language:

              Dongotono people are Lotuka speaking and speak a dialect of Otuho (Lotuka)

              A Dongotono village


              Relations:
              The Dongotono people are closely related to the Lango and Logir,who all migrated into Eastern Equatoria in the 19th century.


              Imatong people



              Language:

              Dialect of Otuho (Lotuka)

              Beliefs and Customs
              Imatong people are known for their spiritual beliefs.They also tend to be extremely conscious of the spirits notwithstanding the fact that they don’t distinguish between the religious and secular aspects of life.Imatong people also believe in a supreme being,which they communicate to through the spirits of their ancestors,amongst other mediums.

              Imatong culture is orally transmitted through speech, songs, poems, music and other bodily decorations reflecting the highest values of the self and the community. They also have perfected the arts of warfare and hunting. They have drums, whistles made from the horns of games and other artefacts.


              Lotuka people

              Lotuka Dance

              Name:
              Otuho widely known as Lotuka

              Populations:
              Exceeds 100,000 people

              The Lotuka are well known for their traditions which include:

              Monyomiji

              Which is a nongopira (ceremony of making fire) which held every 16 years using two straight sticks. If the sticks which are cut are weak or crooked,so will the next generation of men and women.All fires in the village are extinguished and re-lighted with the fire made with these sticks.

              On this occasion the men of the younger generation take over the duties of military service from their seniors. They are given a collective name which they endeavour to make renowned in songs. Men above or below the age fight as volunteers.The monyomiji or graduates are responsible for the daily running of public affairs and the well-being of the community: they keep internal peace, settle disputes

              Magicians
              Throughout every village magicians (Ibwoniu or Neibwoni) are always present,they behave like ordinary people but they are distinctive due to their behaviour patterns. Some are known to smear their selves with dirt,whilst others are known to belch loudly repetitively,roll their eyes and pretend to throw fits.

              References,Images and further reading: Gurtong (1,2,:3)

              Thursday 30 June 2011

              Eastern Equatoria State

              Name:
              Eastern Equatoria also known as Sharq al-'Istiwa'iyah

              Province:
              Equatoria

              Flag:


              Map:

              Map of which highlights Eastern Equatoria State,South Sudan

               Counties:
              • Torit
              • Lafon/Lopa
              • Magwi
              • Ikotos
              • Budi
              • Kapoeta North
              • Kapoeta South
              • Kapoeta East (Narus)
              Capital City:
              Torit

               Area:
               82,542 km2

               Total Population
               225,872 people


              Tribes which reside in Eastern Equatoria State include:
              Acholi
              Dongotono
              Imatong
              Lokuta
              Madi
              Ofiriha
              Pari

              References,Images and further reading: Flickr  Wikipedia 

              Sunday 26 June 2011

              Bari People

              Bari warriors (1890)

              Name:

              Bari also known as Bari proper*

              Language:

              Bari Language which derives from the Kutuk language spoken by Karo group of tribes

              Bari Land includes:

              Lado
              Gondokoro
              Rejaf 
                Bari people are found in Central Equatoria
                Naming ceremony

                The naming ceremony of a child is very important to the Bari community:

                First child names (male) include: 

                Jada
                Yugusuk 
                Loro

                Or they are named after an important person in the clan of both the father and mother (particularly if they are a boy)

                Second child names (male):

                Lado
                Swaka

                 Third child names (male):

                Wani

                Fourth child names(male):

                Pitia

                A Female child following boys:

                Kiden

                Society

                The matat (chiefs) lead the Bari people,they are part of their traditional system and are chosen if they hail from a relevant hereditary clan. In the past,society was made up the monye lo kak (fathers of the land) and the matat lo piong (rainmakers) who used to combine spiritual and secular powers.

                Culture

                Bari food which includes their staple dish Nyette
                Bari culture is diverse in literature,folktales,songs,poems,dances and physical art which include ‘lasira’ (mat), baskets, kitty chairs, pots, ‘mae’ (rope for hanging belongings in the hut) and beads. The Bari also have spears, bows and arrows, whip made from the skin of hippo.
                 
                Bari Waist beads
                Spirituality 
                 
                The Bari believe in the existence of two spiritual powers. 

                 ''''Un lo ki'''' (the Almighty or God of Heaven)
                ''''Mu lo kä'''' (small gods) the spirits that reside in big trees.  
                  They believe that these powers are malicious and are the cause of sicknesses and bad omen. 

                  Bari Diaspora are mostly found in:

                  Australia
                  Europe
                  America
                    *this is because they are different from those from neighbouring Bari-speaking tribes 

                    Images,References and further reading: Gurtong Wikipedia
                     

                    Wednesday 22 June 2011

                    Central Equatoria State

                    NAME:

                    Central Equatoria State (since 2005) formerly Bahr el Jabal

                    FLAG:


                    MAP: 


                    TOTAL AREA:

                    22,956km²

                    TOTAL POPULATION (2006 (est.)):


                    2,500,626 people

                    COUNTIES:
                     
                    Juba county
                    Lainya County
                    Morobo County
                    Terekeka County
                    Yei County
                    Kajo Keji County
                      MAIN CITIES:
                       
                      Kajo Keji
                      Liria
                      Mangalla
                      Rokon
                      Tali
                      Terekeka
                      Yei
                      Gemaiza
                      Tombek
                      Tindilo
                      Muni
                      Rejong
                        CAPITAL CITY:

                        Juba,which also the capital city of the Republic of South Sudan

                        KARO GROUP OF PEOPLE 

                        Are found through East Africa in Democratic Republic of Congo,Kenya,Uganda and South Sudan

                        KARO GROUP OF SOUTH SUDAN:


                        Kakwa people

                        Area of residence:

                        Kakwa People reside in Yei County
                        Yei County
                        Morobo County

                        Language:

                        Kutuk na Kakwa

                        Economy:

                        Reliant on Agriculture (Corn,Millett,Cassava) and Cattle


                        Area:

                        Kajo Keji County

                        Mundari people

                        The Mundari reside in Terekeka County,the main cities are :
                         
                        Mangalla
                        Gemaiza
                        Muni
                        Tombek
                        Tindalo
                        Tali
                        Rego
                        Rokon
                        Koweri
                        Ku'da 

                          Mundari Woman with tradition scarification
                           Scarification

                          The Mundari rituals include scarification,which consists of a pattern of two sets of three parallel lines, each on either side of the forehead,which extends in a downward slope but is unconnected in the middle.


                          Pojulu people

                          Area of Residence:

                          Lainya County
                          Yei County
                          Juba County

                          The Pojulu people are found in three counties in Central Equatoria State
                           Pojulu clans include:

                          Nyori
                          Morsak
                          Goduck
                          Lobora
                          Mulusuk
                          Pirisa
                          Malari
                          Mankaro

                            The Pojulu chief   

                            Is the political leader of the Pojulu People.The chief position,is a hereditary position which has judicial powers in Pojulu society. It is usually falling to the eldest son of the departed chief. The chief is assisted by a council of elders, who come from numerous clans but all of which have the same criteria.Which includes wisdom, bravery and experience in matters pertaining to the tribe.

                            Diaspora

                            Australia
                            Democratic Republic of Congo
                            Egypt
                            Ethiopia
                            Europe
                            Israel
                            Kenya
                            New Zealand
                            South Africa
                            Sudan (Khartoum)
                            Uganda
                            United Kingdom

                            Other tribes that reside in Central Equatoria State include:





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