Mundari Tribe

Known for their distinctive body art, the Mundari people are recognized for their skill in managing and caring for their livestock, which holds immense social and economic significance. They have a close connection to the land and rely on their cattle for sustenance and trade. Despite facing challenges due to conflict and displacement, the Mundari tribe continues to uphold their traditions and maintain their unique way of life. For the Mundari tribe, cattle symbolize wealth, prosperity, and an integral part of their cultural identity. Each day, the chief takes on the responsibility of leading the tribe's cattle to fertile grazing lands, ensuring their well-being and survival.

Dawn

Another day dawns at the Mundari cattle camp

Located in Central Equatoria, the traditional Mundari tribal grounds are centred on the town of Terekeka and are about 75 kilometres north of Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The Bor Dinka at Pariak to the north and the Bari of Juba 12 km south of Gwerkek and north of Peiti Northern Bari of Juba, which were established on British colonial lines in 1956, border these areas. Their territory, which measures about 100 by 75 kilometres, is bordered to the east by the White Nile and extends west to Laka Ma'di in Western Equatoria state.

Angui - Mundari Man

Lado - Mundari Girl

The Mundari people also use traditional craftsmanship, creating intricate jewellery and artefacts. Their daily work encompasses a harmonious balance between tending to their cattle, cultivating the land, and preserving their cultural practices.

Grazing Lands

They take their cows to grazing lands, often located near the river Nile or open grasslands, where they can freely roam and graze on natural vegetation. This practice is integral to their nomadic pastoralist lifestyle and sustains their livelihood.

Mundari Cattle

The Mundari people themselves keep cattle with impressive horns. While not a distinct breed, the Mundari cattle often have large and curved horns that can be visually striking.

Morning Rituals

 traditional practice of using cow urine for personal hygiene purposes. This practice involves washing their faces, hands, teeth, and hair with cow urine. They believe that cow urine has cleansing properties and consider it to be a natural and effective way to maintain personal hygiene.

As the sun sinks low, casting a fiery hue, cattle emerge, a silhouette in view. Hooves stirring of dust, creating a dance in a twilight trance. The Mundari tribe chief, adorned in traditional attire and commanding an air of authority, leads a procession against the painted sky, their outlines bold, a living tableau, a story to be told as silhouettes etched against the golden glow, horns reaching skyward, proud and strong. A rhythmic melody as they return, silent whispers of their journey's tale, a timeless scene where memories prevail.

Sounds of the Mundaries

Mundari music, dance, poetry, and other physical manifestations of kindness, generosity, and other fundamental virtues are passed down orally from generation to generation. Many of these songs are satirical and aim to remedy social wrongdoing. Mundari cultural identity is represented through their physical arts. Their skills in weaponry and physical modification are second to none.

Dancing Silhouettes

From Random Thoughts

As the sun sinks low, casting a fiery hue, cattle emerge, a silhouette in view. Hooves stirring of dust, creating a dance in a twilight trance. The Mundari tribe chief, adorned in traditional attire and commanding an air of authority, leads a procession against the painted sky, their outlines bold, A living tableau, a story to be told as silhouettes etched against the golden glow, horns reaching skyward, proud and strong. A rhythmic melody as they return, silent whispers of their journey's tale, a timeless scene where memories prevail.

Random Thoughts

23rd February 2023

The Mundari Cattle Camp

The Western Bank of The Nile

Central Equatoria South Sudan