WHAT TO EXPECT ON A CULTURAL TOUR IN SOUTH SUDAN
Wondering what to expect on a cultural tour in South Sudan? Probably you have been looking out for a virgin and untouched country to explore and South Sudan hit your mind but didn’t know what to expect. Well, here you go about some of the iconic things to expect on your cultural tour in South Sudan.
South Sudan is an emerging tourist destination situated in the North African part of the continent with various tribes of people and tourist destinations. It being the world’s youngest country, it captures attention from travelers from all parts of the world. South Sudan is proven to be one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world yet its tourism industry is at a barely nascent state.
A traveler that hasn’t previously made it to South Sudan here is what you should expect to see during your cultural tour in south Sudan.
South Sudan inhabits about 7 traditional tribes amongst the ethnic groups that are located in the region’s wilderness with amazing cultural customs making it still an unexploited destination where you can have Africa’s authentic experience compared to other countries
The Mundari tribe;
The Mundari tribe is a small ethnic indigenous group to the Nile valley (Nilotic) in south Sudan. Their community is located approximately 75 kilometers north of Juba, the capital of South Sudan where their lands are bounded on the east by the White Nile which is an important source of water for livestock. The tribe has an amazing long horned white bull which is a dream for most of travelers from and around the world
The Mundari are locally farmed wrestlers where most of their young men from neighboring villages usually gather to compete against each other in traditional shows of strength. Mundari people practice ritual sacrifices as a rite of passage into adulthood for young men.
Experience the wrestling between different villages and tribes;
South Sudan traditional wrestling is predominantly practice in the Mundari tribe in Terekeka community of Central Equatorial state. The tribes all keep cattle and occasional raid other.
The cattle culture;
The Mundari are agro-pastoralists with an economy centered on agriculture and herding livestock. Their famous, massive-horned Ankole-Watusi cattle are considered the ‘kings of the cattle’. They are part of the Sanga family of African cattle breeds which originated over 2,000 years ago from a combination of the Egyptian longhorn cattle of Africa and Zebu longhorns originally from India. Sanga cattle spread throughout eastern Africa, and many different breeds developed. Some studies suggest that the big horns of the Ankole-Watusi are an adaptation to hot climates, cilitating the dispersal of excess body heat.
The Cattle Camps;
In their cattle camps, everyone plays their role. The men lead the cows into the fields during the day and regroup them in the camp before sunset. The women clean and prepare food for everyone. The children clean the ground of the camp every morning by collecting the dung and burning it at sunset. The smoke drives away mosquitoes and also creates a unique atmosphere for photographers.
Ashes are then used as a natural antiseptic to protect the skin of the people and cows from insects and the sun. The Mundari also use ash as talcum to massage their cattle twice a day and as toothpaste for themselves. Cattle urine is used to wash hands, faces, and teeth and bleach hair. The Mundari also drink it in the belief that cow urine infuses purity. They also combine urine with ashes to polish the magnificent horns of the cattle.
The African rural settlement patterns;
The Mundari settlements characterized by illiteracy, traditionalism, isolation and cattle rearing give a wonderful experience to a traveler on a south Sudan tour. The Mundari tend to live in grass thatched houses round in nature surrounded by cattle camps which act as security
Getting there
The Mundari community is located approximately 75 kilometers north of juba, the capital city of South Sudan. It’s roughly a 3-4 hour journey transferring from juba to the Mundari community.
However, this isn’t a worry to any traveler to this amazing country if they book with us a cultural tour in South Sudan, all that is in our hands, transportation, accommodation, meals and activities plus other services as agreed upon.
Thinking of Visiting South Sudan, don’t hesitate to contact us, we are eagerly waiting to take you around the World’s youngest nation.
