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

                Tuesday 14 June 2011

                The Shilluk and their fellow Luo people

                The Shilluk are part of the Luo group which are believed to have resided originally in Western Bahr el Ghazal State,in the 10th Century due to disagreements the group split and migrated to wide range of areas.

                A Map of Western Bahr el Ghazal State

                Nyikang and his nation moved northward along the Nile towards Kush. Whilst other Luo groups rejected Nyikang's idea and headed south and westwards.


                Nyikang led the Shilluk's to Upper Nile State to a land they now called the Shilluk Kingdom
                Luo groups are found in Uganda where the Acholi,Alur (also found in the Democratic Republic of Congo), Chope, Jonam, Jopadhola, Kumam,Lango groups reside.

                Ethophia where the Anyuak live on the highlands,Sudan in the Nuba region where the Funj group reside.

                Also in Kenya and Tanzania where the flagship Luo (Jo-Luo) tribe resides.

                Luo people are very proud of the achievements of fellow Luo Barack Obama

                The most notable Luo person is Barack Obama the president of the United States,who's is an Kenya Luo (on his father's side).

                Other South Sudanese tribes from the Luo group include:
                 
                  Images,references and further reading: Barack Obama Biography Wikipedia SSDRC

                  Monday 13 June 2011

                  The Shilluk People

                  Name

                  Chollo also known as Collo and Shilluk to outsiders 

                  Area

                  Found in Western and North Western area of Upper Nile State


                  Facts

                  One of South Sudan's largest ethnic groups

                  The Shilluk are not just a tribe they are part of the:

                  Läki Cɔllɔ or the Shilluk Kingdom

                  Shilluk people are the only people in South Sudan who have a recognised kingdom,which also has it's own government.They are also led by a King called Reth the current king is Reth Kwong.


                  Fashoda (Pachodo) is the Capital of the Shilluk Kingdom,

                  The Shilluk are part of the East Sudanic Group (which separated in 3000 BC),which includes neighbouring tribes such as the Dinka people.

                  Unfortunately for the Shilluk's over the years they have had a less than cohesive relationship with their Dinka neighbours.One of their most recent disagreements has been over land ownership.As the Dinka's of Jonglei State claim that the Shilluk land east of the Nile belongs to them and is not part of the Shilluk Kingdom.

                  As this land has belonged to the Shilluk's for hundreds of years,the tribes are in disagreement,which caused a rebellion to break out.Which caused the SPLA (Sudan Peoples Liberation Army) and the Dinka's to attack the spiritual home of  the Shilluk,Fashoda in late 2009.


                  Beliefs

                  The Shilluk look up to and believe in their spiritual leader and national hero Nyikang,who is believed to have been given special gifts by Jwok (God).


                  The Shilluk people are believers of Spiritualism and/or Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism) but a small minority have converted to Islam.This is because the Shilluk people collectively are a community which ensures that their traditions and beliefs are retained by passing them on to the next generation.

                  Below is a video of a Shilluk language film about Jesus Christ:


                  Economy:
                  Agriculture and Fish
                  Cattle

                  Customs:

                  Markings
                  The Shilluk people have a pattern of dots marked on their heads this is no longer a tradition which every Shilluk goes through but it's seen as a trademark of the Shilluk people.

                  Two Shilluk men with the trademark Shilluk markings,wearing Lau in 1936
                  Lau
                  Is the traditional dress of the Shilluk people,which has now been adopted into South Sudanese society.It is traditionally a cotton fabric worn and tied on left shoulder by men and worn on the right shoulder by women.

                  Naming process

                  Girls names  

                  Normally begin with Nya

                  Naming process after a family grievance

                  When a child is born after a grievance in the family they are called Aban, Kimo (both unisex names) and Ronyo (males only)
                  Other names associated with occasions :

                  Okach (which means hungry) or Nyakach refers to famine
                  Oyoo (which means road) or Nyayoo refers to a birth on the road/street
                  Acwanyo refers to coinciding with the arrival of an important person or relative 

                  Diaspora

                  Shilluk are found in mainly Canada,Europe (mainly in the United Kingdom),USA and Australia

                  Notable Shilluk people

                  Pagan Amum
                  Pagan Amum (Minister of Peace and former Secretary General of the of Government of South Sudan)
                  Lam Akol (Chairman of SPLM-DC ,former Minister of Foreign Affairs and a former high-ranking official of the SPLA)
                  Viviana Nyachan James (singer)




                    Tuesday 7 June 2011

                    Upper Nile State


                    State:

                    Upper Nile also known as A'aly an-Nyl and Aâlâ En Nîl

                    Province:

                    Upper Nile


                    Approximate Population

                    964,353  

                    State Capital

                    Malakal

                    Other Important Towns: 

                    Renk, Kodok (Fashoda), Nasser, Oriny, Maiwut, Gerger, Melut

                    Counties :

                    Nasir County
                    Ulang County
                    Baliet County
                    Maiwut County
                    Longechuk County
                    Maban County
                    Renk County
                    Manyo County
                    Meluth County
                    Pinyikang County
                    Fashoda County
                    Makal County
                    Akoka County

                    Religion

                    The people of Upper Nile state are either spiritualists/traditionalists,Christians or Muslims.Upper Nile has the highest population of South Sudanese Muslims in the country,due to it's location in Northern South Sudan.

                    Those who practice Islam also the majority of those who were known to protest for the need of a secession.As they believe that the North not only ignores the needs of the Southerners but also ignores the fact that there are Muslims in South Sudan.  


                    Tribes which reside in the area

                    Anyuak people

                    Anywaa Jambo,Yambo and Nuro commonly known as Anyuak to outsiders






                    An Anuak woman

                    Occupations:

                    Herdsmen
                    Farmers
                     
                    Land

                    Live in a grassy region that is flat and virtually treeless. During the rainy season, this area floods, so that much of it becomes swampland with various channels of deep water running through it. They are part of the Luo group of people which reside throughout East Africa,Anyuak people are also found nearby is Ethiopia.

                    Jum Jum people

                    Religion:
                     
                    Muslim
                    Animism

                    Population:
                     
                    50.000 people

                    Land:
                     
                    The Jum Jum people reside in Northern Upper Nile State but the majority are found in Sudan.

                    The Jum Jum live on the Eastern border of Upper Nile
                    Occupations:
                     
                    Men:Farmers and Shepherds
                    Women: help with the harvest of fruit,vegetables etc (agriculture)

                    Maban people
                     
                    Also known as 'Mabaano',‘Burun’or ‘Chai’

                    Population:
                     
                    100,000 people

                    People and Land
                     
                    The Maban are originally from the Luo group and believed to have separated from the Shilluk in Soba near Khartoum,due to the collapse of the last Christian Kingdom of Makkura.They later migrated to the Baro River area.

                    Mabaano people live in Upper Nile state in Maban County, the Manbano and Buldid clans are also found in Maiwut county.

                    Customs and Beliefs

                    Traditionally,every October the Maban perform 'the sacrifice feast' which is used to confess all their sins and to ask their supreme being (who is their God) to grant them good health and to ask for tolerance towards their actions.

                    Traditional dance


                    Other tribes that reside in the area are:


                    Fashoda Incident

                    Kodok (Fashoda) is the location of the infamous 'The Fashoda Incident' (1898) were there was the climax of territorial disputes between the United Kingdom and France. It brought the United Kingdom and France to the verge of war , but ended in a diplomatic victory for the UK.

                    Images and References:Gurtong,Joshua Project,Wikipedia

                    Monday 6 June 2011

                    Nuer People

                    Also known as Nei Ti Naath (translates to ‘people’) or just 'Naath'.Nuer are the second largest tribe after the Dinka people in South Sudan

                    Nuer land

                    Relations-Nuer in Ethiopia

                    Nuer and their neighbours the Dinka people were once part of the same tribe but separated in the 18th century after a disagreement.A myth that is believed by many was that Jieng (Dinka) and Naath (Nuer) were brothers who fell out,when Jieng deceived  his family by stealing his brothers calf .The calf was a present from their father to Naath,Jieng was originally promised a cow as a present from their father.


                    Sub clans:

                    Bentiu Bul Gok  
                    Kuac  
                    Jikany    
                    Jagei    
                    Leek   
                    Dok The Naath (population of 2 million) found in Bentiu, central (Pangak and Akobo) and in eastern (Nasir) Upper Nile. With the river Nile as the principal geographic dividing line 
                      'Rool Naath' (the Nuer land)
                       Nei ti Naath Ciang (homeland Nuer)
                      'Nei ti Naath Door' (wilderness Nuer) form the first level federal division.
                        Residents of areas around:

                        River Zeraf
                        Lou
                        Jikany 
                        River Baro 
                        Pibor rivers

                        Naming of children 

                        "Nya" (née ya) meaning "daughter of", is the standard prefix used for female names.
                        "Gat" meaning "son of", is a common prefix for male names.
                           Names to mark historical events

                          "Domaac" meaning "bullet"
                          "Mac" meaning "fire or gun" given to a child born during times of war or from another man in the name of the deceased father who legally married the mother
                          "Nhial" means "rain" for males (which now a common name)
                            Facial markings (Gaar)

                            The facial markings at part of their initiation into adulthood,each pattern of Nuer scarification varies within sub groups/clans.

                            The most common initiation pattern among males consists of six parallel horizontal lines which are cut across the forehead with a razor, often with a dip in the lines above the nose. Dotted patterns are also common among the Bul Nuer and among females.

                            A Nuer male
                            Nuer diaspora

                            United States including states such as Iowa,South Dakota,Minnnesota,Tennessee,Georgia

                            Canada mainly in Toronto,Edmonton and Calgary

                            Australia where an estimated third of the South Sudanese population (20,000 people in 2008) are said to be from the Nuer ethnic group

                            United Kingdom amongst other places overseas
                              Notable Nuer people

                              Riek Machar Teny (Politician)-Vice President of South Sudan
                              Bul Nyawan (Politician)- fought against the Khartoum government in Bentiu but was killed in 1985 by the current president of Sudan.
                              Commander Ruai and Leah Diu Deng were responsible for the attack that forced Cheveron to suspend activities in the oil field around 1982.
                                References:Wikipedia,Gurtong,Flickr

                                Unity State

                                Flag:


                                State: 

                                Unity/Al-Wahda/Western Upper Nile

                                Province: 

                                Upper Nile


                                Capital city:

                                Bentiu

                                Counties:
                                 
                                Mayom
                                Rubkona
                                Parieng
                                Leer
                                Guit
                                Koch
                                Abeimnom
                                Mayendit
                                Payinjiar
                                  Tribes:

                                  Nuer (majority)

                                  Dinka (minority) 

                                  Oil reserves

                                  The 1970's brought the discovery of oil reserves in Unity state,which drew attention from international oil companies.This unfortunately led to an engagement of oil exploration which caused displacement within the indigenous population within the region.

                                  Unity oil field in Unity State,is situated within the Muglad rift basin and contains 150,000,00 barrels of oil.Unity state is also home to the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline which also runs throughout both Sudan and South Sudan




                                  Sunday 5 June 2011

                                  Jonglei State

                                  State:
                                  Jonglei

                                  Flag:


                                  Province:
                                  Upper Nile


                                  Jonglei State counties:
                                   
                                  Twic East County
                                  Duk County
                                  Bor County
                                  Akobo County,
                                  Nyirol County
                                  Uror County
                                  Pibor County
                                  Pochalla County
                                  Ayod County
                                  Pigi County
                                  Fangak County
                                    Capital city: 

                                    Bor

                                    TRIBES WHICH RESIDE WITHIN JONGLEI STATE INCLUDE:

                                    Murle people



                                    Estimated population:

                                    300,000-400,000 people

                                    Murle people performing a dance
                                    Relations with neighbours

                                    Hostile in the past due to cattle raids performed by the Murle people

                                    Diaspora

                                    Murle diaspora is very small compared to other tribes,as the majority of those who have left are found in East Africa and in various locations overseas.
                                     
                                    Suri (Kachipo) 


                                    Estimated population:

                                    30,000 people
                                    A Suri girl. The Suri people are known for cicatrisation practice,where both sexes have the option to bore and stretch their ear-lobes
                                    Suri people are found in :

                                    Boma Plateau of South-Eastern Upper Nile province in Jonglei state
                                     
                                    Also in Meoun Payam of Pibor County 
                                      The Suri believe that they originally lived on the banks of the Nile, in the country now inhabited by the Bor Dinka.

                                      The Suri society is made up of six clans : 

                                      Jufa (most dominant)
                                      Meyun
                                      Beela
                                      Kembo
                                      Durugan
                                      Baale

                                      Land and Climate:

                                      Hilly with deep valleys
                                      Mild with heavy rainfall
                                        Ancestral relations: 

                                        None.but are linguistically, culturally related and in visually similar in appearance to the Tirma of Ethiopia..

                                        Other tribes within Jonglei State include: 

                                        Dinka (Jieng)
                                        Nuer (Naath)
                                        Anyuak 
                                          Jonglei State's political history

                                          Jonglei State had been the centre of politics backdated to the fail project of the Jonglei Canal and the Mutiny of the Anyanya 2 in 1975 and again in 1983.

                                          References:Wikipedia,Gurtong,MichaelFreemanPhoto

                                          The Dinka people

                                          Name

                                          Jieng (plural)/Muonyjang (singular)
                                          Jieng are known to outsiders as Dinka.

                                          Area of residence (shown via the map below)


                                          Dinka sub-tribes and the state capitals and areas where they reside

                                          Aweil - Rek  
                                          Pangak -Thoi Luach
                                          Bailiet - Ngok   Renk
                                          Bentiu - Ruweng
                                          Bor - Bor, Twic, Nyarweng, Hol 
                                          Rumbek - Agar Gok
                                          Tonj - Rek Luach
                                          Gogrial- Rek
                                          Yirol - Aliab, Ciec
                                          Abyei - Ngok 

                                          Language
                                          Thong muonyjang or thong-Jieng 
                                          Also known as the Dinka language.

                                          Culture

                                          A Dinka Man

                                          The Dinka are a cultural rather than political federation of sub-nationalities.Chief-ship is hereditary and holds the title of beny /bany (plural), which can mean either chief, expert, or military officer.

                                          The word ring (or rem) probably refers to the supernatural power of the chief. Bith, on the other hand, is the sacred fishing-spear (unbarbed or un-serrated spear) as a symbol of office .

                                          The Dinka have cultural and linguistic affinity to and share much with the Nuer and Shilluk to whom they refer to in their names:
                                          • Foreigners are called 'jur' and the colour of the skin is the only distinction. ‘
                                          • Jur chol’ refer to black foreigners 
                                          • jur mathiang or buony refer to light skin people 
                                          Society and beliefs

                                          Many Dinka have converted to Christianity and Islam in Ngok and Abialang. 

                                          They have adopted either jellabia or European dress and now nudity and wearing of skins are rare sight even in the cattle camps.''

                                          Many Dinka's believe that the first people God created were Garang and Abuk (the equivalent of Adam and Eve).Deng was their first born from whom all Dinka people are descend from.

                                          Dinka tradition permits addressing God and the spirits of the departed ancestors and relatives either directly or through a medium in a special offering place yik, situated in every Dinka homestead.

                                          Arts

                                          Dinka arts include different types of dance formations and songs. The common art is that of war: with a spear and stick (duelling),which they practice from their youth.

                                          Diaspora found most notably in:

                                          United Kingdom
                                          America
                                          Australia
                                            Notable Dinka
                                            The late John Garang (Former President of Southern Sudan and 1st Vice President of Sudan)
                                            The late Manute Bol (Former NBA basketball player)
                                            Salva Kiir (President of South Sudan and soon to be former 1st Vice President of Sudan)
                                            Alek Wek (Model and Designer)
                                            Luol Deng (NBA basketball player)

                                              References: Gurtong,artrabbit



                                              Thursday 2 June 2011

                                              Northern Bahr El Ghazal (Šamāl Baḥr al-Ğazāl)

                                              Flag


                                              Map


                                              Counties
                                               
                                              Aweil West County -
                                              Aweil North County -
                                              Aweil East County -
                                              Aweil South West County -
                                              Aweil South County - 
                                                 Area:

                                                33,558km²

                                                Borders:

                                                South Darfur (Sudan)
                                                Western Bahr el Ghazal
                                                Warrap
                                                Abyei

                                                Capital City

                                                Aweil

                                                Dinka and Missriya

                                                Dinkas and Missriya (Arabs) have interacted peacefully within the region for numerous years,but relations now remain hostile after raids of the Dinka area where committed by the Missriya.Who despite breaking the cohesion within the society,by abducting and killing Dinka civilians,the Missriya have an advantage of been  backed by the central government.Whilst those of the Dinka community suffered from the works of Missriya and central governments army.


                                                  Warrap State

                                                  Flag


                                                  Province

                                                  Bahr El Ghazal


                                                  Area

                                                  31,027km²

                                                  Capital City

                                                  Warrapalso known as Warrab (this could change to Kuajok but the outcome is currently pending)

                                                  Counties
                                                   
                                                  Gogrial East County
                                                  Gogrial West
                                                  Tonj South County
                                                  Tonj North County
                                                  Tonj East County
                                                  Twic
                                                  Twic West
                                                    Abyei

                                                    Treated as a county of Warrap State

                                                    Technically  part of Southern Kordofan,as it is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan due to it's population which primarily consists of the Dinka people of South Sudan and Missriya of Sudan.

                                                    The Northern administration recently seized the region claiming it as part of Southern Kordofan therefore it is part of Sudan.This has lead to serious disruption,death and displacement of locals/civilians in the area.

                                                    Abyei currently has special status,until residents vote in a referendum to determine whether they will join Sudan (North) or South Sudan. 
                                                      Main Cites
                                                       
                                                      Gogrial,
                                                      Kuajok,
                                                      Tonj
                                                      Thiet
                                                        Ethnic groups that reside in Warrap state include:

                                                        Dinka Rek

                                                        References:Wikipedia