Ngantho Kavula was the paramount chief for Pibor until his death in December 2013 in Juba, a victim of what was to become a civil war affecting all of the country. Originally from Kongor in Likuangole, he was a respected leader from Dorongwa age-set.
In the recordings below, he shares his thoughts on the origins of his community, ‘Logoz o Jenu’ – “the people from east.‘ He also offers context to the strong ties between the people from the Lowlands and Highlands.
Attesting to the symbolic meaning of Boma as the original home of the Murle people, Ngantho proposed to sing the song transcribed and translated below, as a piece of oral history. In it, ŋantho alludes to Murle’s common origin, language and culture, recognising how Murle people have historically identified as one fixed group. This interview and song were recorded on the 28th July 2013 at his home in Juba.
‘Baale e kotoŋeya e Lotilla e izi lorec oniin o
Kiciwona ki moden Maruwo yo looc ci reen baba o
Emeda matawori e baatak be
Logoz ween camit e orit noŋ e
Arɔɔŋ baba e coma alaam ŋinti awoden dɔlya e
Baale e kotoŋeya Lotilla e izi lorec oniin o
Kiciwona ki moden Bom yo looc ci reen baba o
Emeda matawori e baatak be
Logoz ween camit e orit noŋ e
Arɔɔŋ baba e coma alaam ŋinti awoden dɔlya’
‘A long time ago I left Lotilla [home] to be in Maruwa [my original home]
We’ve been fighting with enemies about my father’s ancestral home
Persisting until we achieved the impossible
We encourage our young warriors to fight hard
So that our fathers can get a place to take water with their children
A long time ago I left Lotilla [home] to be in Boma [my original home]
We’ve been fighting with enemies about my father’s ancestral home
Persisting until we achieved the impossible
We encourage our young warriors to fight hard
So that our fathers can get a place to take water with their children’
(unknown author, sung by the late Ngantho Kavula and translated by his son Kaka Ngantho)
The full recording of his message on Murle origins and unity can be found here (in Murle language):
