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