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)