Dinka Padang and the Shilluk boarders (2)

By Francis Ayul Yuar

South Sudan Constitutional legal provisions on Borders/Boundaries

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed on January, 9th, 2005 between the Sudan government and the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army and the Movement (SPLA/M) which ushered in a new political dispensation, but never the less maintained the boundaries between Sudan and South Sudan as being from the 1st Jan 1956. The same constitutional legal provisions has continue to govern the borders and the boundaries within Southern Sudan administrative institutions. The understanding of this provision laid the foundation for CPA constitution. This legal framework is made crystal clear in the Constitution of the Upper Nile State, 2006 (Article 1(1); to the independence of South Sudan on July 9th, 2011. Based on the (CPA) stipulations, Dr. John Garang de Mabior(RIP), SPLM/A the C-in-C and chairman, issued the cancellation order on 16th July, 2005 of the SPLM/A administrative structures in the liberated areas, including Lam’s so called Shilluk (Collo) Counties and adopted (10) Ten states administrative structures. By virtue of this later order from the same author, 1st order therefore ceased to be operational, and subsequently replaced by the later. Anyone still clinking to this fallacy of the first order to claim the ownership of Malakal town is making nothing but a mockery to the legacy of our beloved late Dr. John Garang in his grave

Dinka Padang (Jieng) of Ngok Lual Yak Borders/Boundaries with Shilluk (Collo)

Dinka Ngok Lual Yak derived its name from the famous leader of Nyok warriors, known as Lual Yak. Ngok Lual Dinka (Jieng) consist of two main sources of migrants that formed today Ngok Lual tribe in Upper Nile State. Those that hailed from Ngok Jok with their original home being Abyei and Biemnhom. And few clans that hailed from Thoi section of Khorfulluth that are believed to be part of Duor section of (Jieng) Padang. There are evidence to believe that few families originated from non Dinka groups, such as Anyuak and Nuer that got assimilated. This section shall specifically discuss views that are solely expressed and shared among the Ngok Lual Yak section of Dinka Padang (Jieng) only, in relations to their Border/Boundaries with Shilluk (Collo) community. Tradition and oral history of Dinka Ngok (Jieng) section of Ngok Lual Yak said that, White Nile is officially known to have been the portcullis that demarcated and separated Shilluk (Collo) with Dinka Padang (Jieng) of Ngok Lual Yak. This natural separation has been observed and respected by both sides. Shilluk (Collo), locally called Eastern bank of the White Nile, as Lok-Jang, translated as River side of Dinka (Jieng) and referred to western bank of White Nile as Lok Collo, translated as River side of Shilluk (Collo).

Ngok and Shilluk (Collo) have had cognizant relationship that has encouraged internal migrations of Shilluk (Collo) to the east bank of the White Nile as well. According to Ngok Lual Yak oral history, Shilluk (Collo) community started migrating to east bank of the Nile as early as (1921-1930). They temporary settled on the eastern bank of the White Nile in the present day Doleib Hills (Bur Achol). It is confirmed that these Shilluk (Collo) families were welcomed by the subsection of Dinka Ngok, called Pagak who were the inhabitants of the place. Ngok Lual Yak leaders confirmed that those that came were mainly in-laws that had internal fights on the west bank. Oral tradition also said that Doleib Hills was locally known as (Bur-Achol) in Dinka. Names Doleib Hills was invented after the Hills Millers of the Catholic Church Mission. As mentioned early, several factors, including conflicts between and among different Clans in Shilluk (Collo) west bank kingdom forced families and individuals to cross over and settled among the Dinka Padang of Ngok Lual Yak in Upper Nile State.

We are made to understand that subsection of Baliet clan known as Pagak are the original inhabitance of Doleib Hills (Bur-Achol).They allowed these influx of Shilluk (Collo) to settle among them in (Bur Achol). As time passed, number of other Ngok Clans moved East of Sobat, pushing the Anyuak further to the east toward Ethiopian border. As result, Pagak subsection number shrinks over the years against this constant massive influx of Shilluk (Collo) from the west bank of the White Nile into their villages. Subsequently exposed to peaceful assimilation by the Shilluk arrivals. Today, they are called Pathuoro, or Kuai-Jang in Shilluk, which literally translated as families from the Dinka origins. A Dinka Ngok Lual Yak elder Mr. Gabriel Nyok Abiel strongly confirmed that this section (Pagak), though speak Shilluk have been bringing offering to Luak-Dengdit Shrine up to the latest of 1978. Though culturally Shilluk (Collo) by all qualifications, still considered themselves Dinka Ngok and the original inhabitants of the land Doleib (Bur-Achol).This interesting historical analogy has remains me of the fight over Jerusalem in the Bible between Palestinians and the Israelites. They both traced their genealogy to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But due to the power of centuries of displacements and assimilations, these two kind are fighting over the identity of Jerusalem. Edomites tribes hailed from the descendants of Esau, a twin brother to Jacob. They end up Speaking Arabic language and are Muslim today because they settled on the mountains areas in Palestine’s land of Canaan. Subsequently mixed with Ishmael Arabic speaking groups that formed a large number of Palestinian ethnics in Israelite.

Whereas, family of Jacob with his (12) sons moved to Egypt and later returned to the Palestine land as Jews with Judaism as religion and Speak Hebrew language. The rhetoric questions therefore asked is, who are the real owners of the Palestine land? Perhaps this rhetoric question shall help readers to judge between Shilluk (Collo) and the Dinka (Jieng) of Lual Yak in the contest of Doleib Hill. In the after mass of the Dinka Ngok Lual Spiritual leader, called Kur Ajak de Lek. Known locally as Beny nhial. There came another Shilluk (Collo) family of a very significance importance in the name of someone called Guol Akwot. He was of radh family lineage and had some misunderstanding with radh (king) of Collo on the west bank of the White Nile. He was again received and given due temporary accommodations in a place called Anak-diar and Mijok village respectively.

Anak-diar, in Dinka (Jieng) language, is combination of two words: Anak, or nak (verb) which basically meaning, to kill and diar in the other hand or Dior (noun) basically meaning a woman or women. Word Anak-diar therefore is compound words, which means, women killer. Oral history authentically confirmed that Guol Akwot might have either intentionally or accidentally killed his wife. That incidence prompted king (radh) to decree death on his head. Fearing the unfair judiciary system in the kingdom, he fled to East bank of the White Nile for safety and settled among the Dinka of Ngok Lual Yak. The authenticity of this facts has been confirmed by many elders interviewed. That due to the status of this family, they were therefore first settled in a place called Anyuantim. One (1) km South of Luak-DengDit. This is in the middle of Baliet County. This was purposely done to ensure their safety in the middle of Ngok tribe. This narrative scarcely confirmed Dr. Lam’s claims of extending the border of Shilluk (Collo) to 47km east of the White Nile, along Sobat River up to Anyuentim village. Perhaps Dr. Lam, in some of his writings, alluded that Shilluk (Collo) Border with Ngok Lual Yak is as far as Anyuantim village. He might have thought that since these families happened to have temporary settled in this village. The village in question must be annexed to be part of Shilluk (Collo) land. This of course is another fallacy, for you cannot claim a land with less regards to its historical considerations. We give him the benefit of doubt though. I want to believe that an intellectual of his type perhaps must be aware of how these families end up in Baliet County in the first place but chose to ignore. Their settlement was nothing but good African gesture of welcoming visitors. To this family after number of years hailed prominent politicians in the person of Hon Dr. Othwon Awer and others, that are today caught between the rock and hard places?

In the subsequence of these inter-tribal relationships of 1890s. Oral traditions acknowledged that, Reth Padiet married a girl from Pagak subsection. A sub-clan of Baliet called Achol Guer. She gave birth to Dak Padiet. Dak became the King of Shilluk (Collo) and gave birth to a son, named Kwongo Dak Padiet. Few of these men considered themselves sons and daughters of East bank of the White Nile. Today’ politics of Ethnicity has exacerbated conflicts, characterized by tribal tensions. General understandings is that after the arrivals of Shilluk (Collo) migrants to (Bur -Achol). Dak is said to have cautioned his tribesmen in one of the occasion when he was king. He advised his tribe (Shilluk) that have crossed to the Eastern bank of the White Nile, to live in peace with his maternal uncles. The Pagak sub-clan of Baliet of Ngok Dinka (Jieng) being his uncles were not aware of what is going to befall them a head. Had they had known early, we wouldn’t have this paper to write either.

We are made to believe that Baliet Clan of Ngok Lual Yak lived in an area North of Sobat River including Bur-Achol as mentioned early. Which was home of Pagak subsection and, the present day village of Toffiqia) and Malakal town respectively. After the establishment of Malakal town, as Provincial Head Quarter in 1921, Baliet Clan, being cattle herders, moved Eastwards with their cattle and settled on the Sobat River. Displacing another clan of Ngok Lual Yak called Duut. This oral history is reflected in a traditional Dinka (Jieng) Songs of Duut clan. Part of Pagak sub-Clan moved with Baliet eastwards and settled on Sobat River. However, few remained behind in the present day Doleib Hills (Bur- Achol). They decided to embrace Shilluk identity and subsequently became Shilluk (Collo). They are referred to as Pathuoro, or Gol Guer. Meaning, the family with Dinka (Jieng) origins or, simply, the family of Guer Malual, of Pagak sub-clan. Guer Malual is believed to be the owner of Doleib village (Bur-Achol)). Doleib Hills is a combination of an Arabic and English words. Hills names derived from Mill Hills. They were Christian Catholic Mission that was operating in 1901-1982 in Doleib. The migrations of Shilluk (Collo) and their temporary settlements on east bank has continued, warranted by factors observed early. There were those that solely came in search for farming. Others came to live with their brothers or sons in-laws. But as noted above, majority came in search for jobs opportunities in the established City of Malakal. This was the case with Melut (Maluth), Renk and Akoka eventually. While migrating to the east bank was abrasive in nature, Shilluk (Collo) outsmarted Dinka Padang by carrying with them names of their villages.

Dinka Padang (Jieng), to some extends contributed to Shilluk (Collo) agenda to change the Dinka villages’ names on East bank of the White Nile. After these settlers renamed Dinka villages on East bank, Dinka, out of ignorance agree to call those villages as dictated by Shilluk settlers. The examples of transferred names from the West bank of the Nile includes Panyiduai, Ogot, Makal and Lul. Even as evidence of their temporary residence on the east bank became more permanent, Shilluk (Collo), still takes the remains of their love ones to the West bank for burials. Perhaps Issues of spirituality cannot be deceived. This alone is a practical evidence that disqualified their claims on the east bank of the Nile. The African Traditional Religion (ATR) practice of taking the deceased to his/her ancestral homes for burial is practiced across Africa. This is also shared by some countries in East Asia and Europe. Many people from Bahr El-Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile who grew up and lived in Malakal can testify to this traditional practices. Even during the conflicts, such as the conflict of 1973 in Malakal between the Nuer and the Shilluk (Collo). Shilluk descendants crossed to the West bank of the Nile for safety. This psychological and spiritual world view was again seen in the after mass of December, 2013 conflict as well. When Dr. Riek Machar rebels stormed Malakal. All Shilluk crossed the river to the west bank. The Dinka Padang in general remains on the East bank of the Nile as dictate by this African traditional beliefs that said, safety always associates with ancestral homes. Safety is perceived to be associated with one his/her ancestral homes of any tribe, Ethnicity or Race. This is also true across Africa and the world at large. Upper Nile States Tribes fall trapped in this beliefs.

Dr. Francis Ayul Yuar can be reach via:[email protected]