Cattle and War - The Nuer of Sudan

Numbering approximately one million, the Nuer are the second largest people group (second to the Dinka) in south Sudan. Traditionally, they are cattle herders whose complete way of life revolves around their livestock. Cattle are used for payment of fines and debts and as bride prices in marriage. Children mold clay figures of cows out of clay, ash, wood or any other available material. Young boys have a favorite ox who they give a name and treat as if it was a puppy. 

Unfortunately, Sudan’s civil war, which has lasted for over a decade, has devastated this traditional way of life and displaced many Nuer to the safety of the neighboring country of Ethiopia or to places in northern Sudan, such as the capital city of Khartoum. Many Nuer serve with the Sudanese rebel army, although some are at odds with the rebel leader, a member of the Dinka tribe. In the past, war and tribal fighting has broken out between Nuer and their Dinka neighbors. 


Lifestyle and Society 

Although they are for the most part cattle herders, some Nuer also engage in agriculture. They determine their calendar based on current activity and weather conditions. The fishing season begins in December and lasts until the season of rain (spring) begins. Next comes the time of crop growing (summer), followed by the season of winds (autumn). The Nuer are careful watchers of the stars and have their own names for various stars and constellations. The evening star, for example, is called “Lipai chiing.” To the Nuer, it looks like a girl in a village waiting for the moon to rise, and the name means “waiting in the village for the moon.” 

Nuer society is patrilineal; all rights, privileges, obligations and relationships are regulated through kinsmen. Marriage is one of the most important Nuer traditions, and is arranged by the families of the bride and groom. The Nuer believe in monogamy, but divorce is not unheard of, and is usually caused by a lack of children. If a woman does not produce children, a man can demand the return of the cattle he paid for the marriage and can send the woman back to her own village. 


Beliefs and Needs

 While the Nuer could not be classified strictly as an unreached people group, they are unevangelized. In the midst of their turmoil and difficulty, the Nuer are turning to Christ and are extremely open to the Gospel, yet many are still animists and those who are Christians are in need of sound Biblical teaching and Christian compassion. There has been some kind of Christian witness among the Nuer for over 30 years, and there are a number of churches in the south of the country and in Khartoum. The Nuer New Testament was completed in 1968 and the Old Testament is in progress. Despite these advances, many Nuer remain animists or nominal Christians. In the south, many claim to be a Christian so as not to be identified as a Muslim northerner. It is very common to find a Nuer who worships a tree or some kind of animal such as a frog! A sincere, accurate, Biblically based Christian witness is needed among this group of people which is so torn by their country’s civil war. 

 

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