Introduction to Lanngo Age-set

Lanngo youth with scarifications of AK-47s, to reflect his sub-group. Kong Kong River, Pibor May 2015

By Lauryen Oleyo Lanngo Age-set is one of the Murle Age-sets that emerged from Bothothnya Age-set in 2005-2015. The defection of Lanngo Age-set first started from Irit village/Boma in Greater Kubal region (Gumuruk County) and spread to other Bomas within Greater Kubal from 2005-2007. They were firstknown as Nuknuknya and later they had to change… Continue reading Introduction to Lanngo Age-set

Introduction to Bothothnya age-set

By Lauryen Oleyo Bothothnya age-set first emerged in 1999/2000 and spread through Greater Pibor over those years eventually reaching the last place of Boma in 2006. The idea of forming a new age-set was first discussed secretly in 1998 by some of the younger members of the younger part of Titi, known as Jiri, from… Continue reading Introduction to Bothothnya age-set

Introduction to Kurenen age-set

By Lauryen Oleyo Kurenen (meaning deer in Murle) are currently the youngest age-set in Murle that emerged in 2013/14 in Kongor and spread to other areas and was eventually accepted in Pibor 2017. They are not yet present in Boma. The age-set chose the giraffe (Thagot) as their token animal, for its beauty, humility and… Continue reading Introduction to Kurenen age-set

The Kabarze: a novel platform for women’s involvement in age-set tensions

Women from Kabarze from different age-sets in Manyirany coming together to sing and dance together. Manyirang payam in Pibor, September 2017.

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

A brief life history of Sultan Ismael Konyi

Sultan Ismael Konyi is for many people the greatest Murle leader that has ever lived. He was one of the most prominent political, military and spiritual leaders of the Murle community, until he passed away age the age of 80 in Juba on the 10th March 2021. Over his long life, he successfully drew upon… Continue reading A brief life history of Sultan Ismael Konyi

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

Laango age-set dance

This video clip shows a small group of boys and young men from the Laango age-set dancing in a cattle-camp along the Kong-Kong River, Pibor county May 2015. This video is not the popular style of Murle dancing, nor do Laango themselves often dance this way. This dance style is used along with a song… Continue reading Laango age-set dance