South Sudan celebrates return of Ngundeng’s daang
By James Gatdet Dak
July 12, 2009 (JUBA) – The semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has celebrated, for the second time, the return of Prophet Ngundeng’s rod (daang) after eighty (80) years in Great Britain.
It was received on 16th May which co-incided with the day the SPLM/A was formed in 1983.
A big celebration was organized in Juba on Saturday by the Government of Southern Sudan, Central Equatoria state and the family of Ngundeng Bong under the auspices of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Several thousands of people converged at Nyekuron Culture Center to participate in the colorful event which kicked off with traditional dances.
Ministers and members of parliaments from both Government of Southern Sudan and states participated in the celebration.
Speeches delivered during the occasion centered on the life of Prophet Ngundeng, his teachings on peace and unity among the people of Southern Sudan and prophesy on their future political destiny.
Some of Ngundeng’s recorded songs on his prophesy were played for public to hear. Among them were his foretold ten states (wii wal) of Southern Sudan and independence for the region as the final destiny.
Elders from various tribes in Southern Sudan were given chances to speak about Ngundeng, some of them recalling their respective tribe’s participations in the activities of Ngundeng at his Bieh (Wec Deang) during his life time.
Among the elders included Peter Bashir Bhandi, Chairperson of Specialized Committee for Information in the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, representing Greater Equatoria, elder Bol Akol, representing Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Maj. Gen. Ismail Kony, Presidential Advisor for Peace and Security, representing Murle community, Lt. Gen. David Okwer, Commissioner of Pochalla County, representing Anyuak community and elder Simon Kun Puoch, Chairperson of Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, representing Greater Upper Nile region.
Grandsons of Ngundeng performed rituals by sacrificing three buls at the event. Simon Mayan Tut, the oldest elder from the family, about 95 years old, recalled that the daang was looted by the British colonial administration in late 1920s when he was still a small boy.
He called upon the leaders of Southern Sudan to love one another and unify their efforts to deliver freedom to the people of Southern Sudan. He warned that any one who would continue to divide the people on ethnicity lines would soon face the wrath of God’s anger.
Ngundeng’s family members explained that the Prophet also foreseen the coming of Christianity to Southern Sudan as opposed to worship of traditional gods or idols.
Central Equatoria state, the host state, was represented by Governor Clement Wani Konga while Deputy Governor, Hussein Mar Nyuot, represented Jonglei state, which produced the Prophet’s daang.
Dr. Douglas Johnson, the author of the book, “Nuer Prophets…” and who also found and brought the daang from England, was also present during the Saturday’s event.
In his remarks, Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said the return of daang indicated that the region was moving towards bringing to an end the long time bitter conflicts as prophesied by Ngundeng.
Machar said the daang was taken by the British colonial administration in war with the Nuer where Ngundeng’s Bieh (pyramid) was bombarded and destroyed by the British warplanes.
He said it was the first time in Africa for the European warplanes to carry out such air bombardments on Africans in 1920s.
He however added that Southern Sudan will not be at peace unless Jonglei state ends its continuous ethnic violence. “The whole world has been watching what is happening in Jonglei,” he said.
In his speech, President Salva Kiir Mayardit said the daang was a symbol of peace and unity among the people of Southern Sudan.
Kiir was officially handed the daang by the elders of Ngundeng’s family and displayed it to the public to see it while holding it up horizontally.
He said the biggest enemy facing the South is ethnic divisions and its resulting violence.
Kiir echoed the curses said by Ngundeng’s family elders who warned of God’s wrath on any one, especially leaders who want to divide the people. He told those present at the event to listen carefully that if any one continued to divide the people he or she would follow the sacrificed three bulls.
Kiir said the Government of Southern Sudan in collaboration with the Jonglei state government would rebuild the Ngundeng’s Bieh to its original height and width and to build a huge meseum in which to keep the daang and other national artifacts.
He further explained that the meseum project would also include buidings for accommodation of visitors or tourists from within and outside Sudan.
The daang is expected to be taken to Bieh (Wec Deang) in Jonglei state after completion of the construction of the meseum by December this year.
A bigger celebration would then be organized at the Prophet’s headquarters of Wec Deang during that time, Kiir added.
(ST)