Tag: culture

What can the changing tastes in body scarification tell us about the lives and aspirations of Murle youth?

Young man from Kurenen age-set, and from a nyakeno called Koliyam (SPLA) represented by 'South Sudan' inscribed on the body, along with SPLA symbols such as the sign for Division 2 and Division 8. Manyirany, June 2022 (photo by Lauryen Oleyo).

This blog post posted in the Rift Valley Institute’s (RVI) website discusses how the Murle social institution of age-sets (sometimes known as generations) has, in recent years, been fragmenting and is becoming increasingly militarized. Body scarification is a valuable lens through which to view these transformations, as well as a way to better understand individual… Continue reading What can the changing tastes in body scarification tell us about the lives and aspirations of Murle youth?

Murle understandings of friendship – a personal account

Friends from Lanngo age-set on their way to a dance, Lotilla River, April 2015

Written by MK, contributor from Pibor Murle are very proud of their rich culture and will go miles to maintain it. Friendship, in Murle language known as ‘langotizet‘, has always been central to Murle culture and that can be seen also through how the very important social institution of the age-sets is experienced and lived.… Continue reading Murle understandings of friendship – a personal account