Age-sets have often been understood as fundamentally male institutions, and to some extent this is true. However, women also belong to age-sets, first their father’s and eventually their husband’s. They are also the mothers of boys and men who are themselves from age-sets and that gives women, especially as mothers, a very powerful and influential… Continue reading The Kabarze: a novel platform for women’s involvement in age-set tensions
Category: Songs
Chief Ngantho on origins of red chiefs and Ngaroti clan
Post prepared by Johnson Kengen Ababal guzul zɔna ee aze guzul zarɛ Akun rɛna ee akunai zɛɛm ci baba ee bal azi baba nɛ alam guzul ci loro o baba nyumur ee anyek kidoŋ korok o tobak kidoŋ cava This song, by the late paramount chief Ngantho Kavula from Dorongwa age-set, is about a hyena… Continue reading Chief Ngantho on origins of red chiefs and Ngaroti clan
Former paramount chief ŋantho Kavula on Murle origins and unity
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… Continue reading Former paramount chief ŋantho Kavula on Murle origins and unity
The power of Murle song and of pastoralism
The significance of cattle and resilience of pastoralism ‘When I was born I found cows around. The keeping and dying of cows is as important as human beings, there is no difference. The cow was sent by God from heaven to us, it was thrown down to us from heaven. The colour of the first… Continue reading The power of Murle song and of pastoralism