The Ultimate Tour To the Pari Cultural People of South Sudan.
Living like our ancient fathers, Perched high on a remote hillside in the southern part of South Sudan are the fascinating Pari people. The Pari live in an area east of the Nile River. They live around Lafon Hill, a small rocky elevation that rises abruptly out of the surrounding plains and is completely covered with terraced, Pari villages. Although they are a Nilotic group, the Pari are isolated from other Nilotes and are more closely connected with groups such as the Bari.
The Pari have had close contact with the Dinka and Nuer groups who invaded and raided them in years past. The Pari also have been influenced by the Anuak, who occupy a large area north of them. The two groups share many cultural similarities. Some see the Pari as a branch of the Anuak and claim that the two were once one group. When the Second Sudanese Civil War began, many Pari joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement, and many were killed. In February 1993 all six Pari villages were burnt down. The Pari were scattered and now live in various settlements.
This multi-ethnic tribe speaks Pari, a Luo language, and practices Luo customs such as an age-set system of social organization.
Pari's oral history says the people migrated from the north and west to Lafon County in Equatoria Province, where they lived in six villages at the foot of Lipul. The Pari recognize their Luo origin. Oral tradition has it that all Luo used to live together at ‘Wi-Pach’ somewhere in eastern Bahr el Ghazal. They then dispersed because of the quarrel between the three brothers: Nyikango, Dimo, and Giilo. There is another story of a fight between two brothers, Uthienho and Giilo. The latter was killed by the former because of jealousy. It seems that this story refers to an event of more ancient times.
The first Luo group that settled at Lipul Hill was led by Dimo, who became the founder of Pugeri village. They came from the area near Terekeka on the bank of the White Nile and through Lulubo-land and Lokoya-land.
Then a second Luo group migrated from the north, leaving Anywaa behind. Some settled at the Hill, and others proceeded southwards. It seems that those who moved further south later formed different Luo communities in Uganda, Kenya, and beyond.
Those new settlers at Lipul Hill eventually formed Bura, Puchwa, Wiatuo, and Angulumere villages. The last Luo group came from the north and became the founders of Kor village
People acknowledge that when the first Luo group reached the Lipul, it had already been occupied by the non-Luo speaking people and that there are a few clans of external origin (Lopit and Bor Dinka), and many individuals and families from neighboring ethnic groups such as the Lopit, Lokoya, Lotuka, and Bari came to settle and absorbed to the Pari community. These sorts of inter-ethnic ties become mutually activated during the period of disasters for their survival.
Divided into six clans, the Wiatuo, Kor, Bura, Angulumere, Pugera, and Puchwa, the Peri became almost culturally extinct after the Civil War. Now they are rebuilding their communities and their main communities reside in hilltop villages with ‘tukul’ style roundhouses fashioned from wood and grasses. There is a central square and a ‘drum house’ where musical instruments are kept between ceremonies.
During one of our cultural tours in South Sudan, you will visit one of the main communities of these fascinating people to witness a ceremony performed in the name of “Mojomiji”, or graded age-set system, in which age-sets go up the ladder from the grade of youth ('Awope'), then to the grade of fully grown up men ('Mojomiji'), and finally to the grade of elders ('Chidonge').
The Pari economy centers on the raising of cattle. The land around the terraced villages is used as grazing grounds for cattle and smaller herds. Some of the land is also used for cultivation; however, because there is no water on the hill itself, water must be brought from nearby pools. The entire Pari population lives on the hill and is divided into sections and villages. The warriors and hunters live near the foot of the hill, while the elderly live further up the hill.
Generally, the Pari are led into battles and are governed by a chief whose office is hereditary. The chief settles disputes from the various villages, and a headman from each village handles day-to-day affairs. The headman is also in charge of all village ceremonies and keeps in his possession the village drums and ancient Pari relics. The tribesmen show him respect by cultivating his land and bringing him gifts of meat and fish. If the headman loses the villagers' support by being a weak leader, he is expelled from the village, taking nothing with him but his wives.
The Pari are divided into clans. Since most clan members live in the same village, a strong sense of unity exists among the members. Marriages between clans are common, and children are usually betrothed when they are quite young. Each year, until the bride-to-be is old enough to marry, the groom must give sheep or goats to his future in-laws as a bride price.
Nearly all of the Pari are animists who follow their traditional ethnic religion. An animist believes that non-human objects have spirits. The Pari also believe in an all-powerful spirit named Juok, who is regarded as the creator of all things. When someone is sick or when someone wants revenge, an animal is sacrificed to Juok for help. Unlike many African tribes in South Sudan which have mediator spirits or priests to intercede on behalf of the people, the Pari pray directly to Juok.
The Pari practice divination and magic. The cijor is a type of sorcerer who exercises magical powers against those he envies. He puts curses on those who have done wrong to someone else. Elderly people who are unable to avenge themselves often resort to using these curses.
The Pari tribesmen also have what are known as "rain makers." The ritual of rainmaking involves the sacrifice of a bull and goat. The animals' blood is poured on a grinding stone and placed in the chief's hut. The rainmakers dip their hands in water and shake them over the ashes of the bull and goat. Clouds of steam then begin to arise. The villagers remain in their huts, quiet until the sun rises, hoping for rain.
