Mohammed Adeyemo A2 Anthropology

 Past and Current: Southern Sudan, Northern Sudan, Uganda, Kenya

 Ironstone Plateau of Bahr el Ghazal, Flood Plains, White Nile River, Rich Savannah Grasslands of Upper Nile

 Rek of Tonj is standard Dinka languange  Few can read or write  Examples: English – Dinka  Cow – Weng  Husband - Moc  Wife – Tieng  Child – Mieth

 Dinka didn’t have much of a school system until the 1930’s but even with the some mission schools now. Majority of Dinka still lack the ability to read and write.  The educational system disappeared due to wars.

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 Dinka believe in one universal God, named Nhialic.  Nhialic communicates with human through spiritually contact.  They have rejected Islam and Christianty but a few 4-8 percent follow these religions.  According to the Dinka religion community, their creator created Garang and Abuk who are the equivalent of Adam and Eve.

 Agro-pastoral culture, due to long periods of flooding and droughts in there living area.  Breeding animals, subsistence agriculture, fishing, hunting

 They are known for their height. In some parts like Tutsi of Rwanda they are believed to be the tallest Africas, they average between 5’11.4” – 5’11.9” in

 The Dinka people migrated due to the droughts and floods that were caused in area. Also they left due to food migrating.

 Dinka people spent 21 years in a civil year in 1983 – This lead to a huge number of residents being massacred.  Roughly 2 million people died as a result of war, famine and disease caused by the war.  Currently it is being led by Salva Kirr who is criminally corrupted and keeps himself in power by having these abilities.

 Dinka art work is very similar to most Sudan art work. It consist of wood and painting pieces.

 Relations between everyone is important but those who you share land with (family) are the most important. They are willing to help everyone but their moral rule is family is first.  When men become adults they aren’t referred by their birth names instead they are given ox-names that is judged by the characteristics of their favorite cattle.  Example: Acinbaai (man who doesn’t leave herd)  Polygamy is common  Men of high social standing may have as many as 50 to one hundred wives.  Women performing household duties and take care of their own child.  But women play a important role in local life.

 Majority of celebrations take place in autumn when the whole tribe is together.  Birth, Death and Marriage are all standard customs that involves public ceremonies. These usually involves animal sacrifices.  Adult males are given deep gashes that are meant for permanent scarring.

 They wear very little amount of clothing and no shoes.  Women wear goatskin skirts  Women wear bangles on their arms and legs, sometimes ear pieces  Men and women wear string beads around their necks

 Horticulture and pastoralism, fishing and hunting.  Millet is the main Dinka diet. Depending on season, it is supplied with cow milk, fish, meat, beans, tomatoes, and rice.

 Men play mock sparring, which involves using shields and sticks. Which helps develop fighting skills.  They make spears, and fishing hooks.  Women make clay cooking pots which are used to carry food and water. Dinka females also create weave baskets and sleeping mats.