Glossary
Anyuak: a Nilotic people of South Sudan
Dinka: a Nilotic people of South Sudan
Gambella: refugee camp in Ethiopia
Itang: refugee camp in Ethiopia
Kakuma: refugee camp in Kenya, situated in Turkana County
Murle: a Nilotic people of South Sudan
Nilotic: term for peoples of the Nile Valley who speak the family of languages belonging to a large sub-group of Nilo-Saharan languages
Nuer: a Nilotic people of South Sudan
Pinyudo: refugee camp in Ethiopia
Shilluk: a Nilotic people of South Sudan
SPLA: Sudan People’s Liberation Army
SPLM: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
UN: United Nations
UNHCR: United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Translations
Episode 1: Majokdit (Great grey Bull or black and white Bull)
Singer: Ajak Kwai
This is a Dinka traditional song, the man featuring his great white and black Bull.
He said that the great grey bull I bought with many cows has everyone asking, the great grey bull I bought with many cows has everyone asking. I have been absent for a long time like someone who went to look for money because I was searching for the bell of my great Bull
When anyone who has not bought a Bull and the bell fights with his wives, he would say silly things such as, this woman doesn’t respect me. But when someone who bought the Bull and the bell fights with his wives, he will not say silly things to his wives. Instead he will sing his great songs, that I bought a great Bull and the bell with many cows and the women will be afraid of him.
We struggle with life, but God has given us our land, it is blessing, it is blessing.
Episode 4: Jiëŋda yoo, Jiëŋda yoo, Muɔnyjaŋda yoo, Muɔnyjaŋdadit cït anyaar
(The Dinka are great like the buffalo)
Singer: Kodok Chan (Twic Section, Warrap State) (Rek)
http://www.lel.ed.ac.uk/nilotic/resource.shtml, Song/speech data, first example sung by Kodok Chan Amal on the death of Dr John Garang and translation.
O our Dinka, o our Dinka, our Dinka, our Dinka are great like the buffalo
The Dinka of Deng Achuuk, who created all humans beneath the tamarind tree and placed them at his right hand
O Dinka, wipe your eyes
Because your great leader, Garang Mabior Atem Aruei, has died
But he has placed South Sudan at his right hand
Garang has not died like Deng Nhial, who was cut down before he could put his country in order
Garang!
Mabior Atem Aruei has placed South Sudan at his right hand
At that time, the world of the Dinka came to a stand still
The time when John Garang Mabior Atem Aruai was slain
Cier Abun Maror Rehan and Deng Macam Angui spoke day and night
When John Garang’s people risked their lives on the streets of Khartoum
When Rebeccca, the wife of the great Garang Mabior, spoke
When my mother Nyandeng spoke
Nyandeng, daughter of Chol, restrained the Dinka
Who were ready to throw themselves into the line of fire
Our Dinka, our Dinka
Our Dinka, our Dinka are like the great buffalo
Dinka, have you heard the words of Kiir Mayardit
And Riak Machar Teny and Dr. Yac Arop Makerdit
With Lam Akol and Deng Alor Kwol?
Kiir Mayar said: The Dinka are like the buffalo
Let go of Garang’s death
He has placed South Sudan at his right hand
And let’s embrace peace
Let’s build the nation with strong foundations, like the Gieer tree
O South Sudan,
Land of the black people that will forever reject oppression.
When Deng Nhial, Karbino Kuanyin Bol of Deng and Jamuth, Anyiaar Mayuol died fighting for the land
The land struck again and took the son of Mabior Atem Aruai
Let us leave envy
And backbiting
And build the nation with strong foundations, like the Gieer tree
O leader of South Sudan
O celebrated leader
O leader of South Sudan
The builder of the nation
O leader of South Sudan
The brave buffalo, the one they call Kiir Mayardit
O South Sudan, our land, you will not be led by a cowardly bull
The SPLM leadership has no cowards amongst its ranks
The South Sudan leadership has four divisions:
The SPLA, the SPLM, the people’s movement
And the commando army that protects the nation
South Sudan is our land and the land of our ancestors
O Dr. Yac Arop Makerdit,
We are led by great people
Who do not retreat or procrastinate.
William Mathiang Awuur Biok, Thiang Awer Thiang Agitjak
And William Martin Magoc Kur Deng Yak Adol Leng
Never lie when they speak for South Sudan.