THE MUNDARI: IT’S COW OR NOTHING

Lweendo Kalonga
Mar 2, 2023
3 min read

The Mundari are an ethnic tribe of Nilotic people indigenous to South Sudan. Their history and cultural background are passed on through oral representation such as songs, dances, poetry and different forms of expression. These could interpret good or evil, harm or care, and many of their tribal values. Like many tribal societies in Africa, the Mundari’s tribal land is said to be about 75 kilometers located north of South Sudan’s capital, Juba. Their land stretches from the east by the White Nile to Laka Ma’di in Western Equatoria state. The population occupying this stretch of flat land is said to be roughly 70,000 to 100,000 people. Like the Maasai, the Mundari consider the use of cattle as currency and wealth status. It is regarded that the importance and status of one in society are determined by the number of cows one possesses, the size and shape are also considered an indicator. The most commonly kept breed of cattle taken care of are known as Ankole-Watusi, which have larger than normal horns that are said to have the largest circumference in any breed of cow. These tend to grow to 5”5’ to 6”5’ heights and usually have a red coating. They are also sometimes referred to as the “cattle of kings” with their ancestry dating back to about 6000 years ago.

Just as cattle are a staple form of societal status, they serve as food and in the arrangement of marriage as a form of a proposal. Like many African tribes, the groom takes a number of cattle to the home of the bride’s family. The Mundari are said to live in harmony with the cattle, forming a sort of symbiotic relationship with them. As the duty of herding the cattle falls onto the men of the village, the children are tasked with collecting the fresh cow dung that is arranged into a pile and set ablaze. This is done to repel flies and mosquitoes. As a form of care, the cows are massaged twice a day and smeared the ash from the burnt dung that is as fine as talcum powder. This all takes place in cattle camps where mostly young adults and children live, and these are usually located in areas surrounding the Nile River because they tend to be green and can facilitate grazing by the livestock. As cows are sacred, they protect them as much as they can from thieves or cattle rustlers with weapons.

Like many tribes and people in Africa as well as around the world, the Mundari are deeply rooted in tradition and culture. For instance, just as the world celebrates life and birthdays a certain way, a rite of passage is a common undertaking in which men undergo traditional processes that are specific to them. Whereas ritual scarification is commonly practiced for both men and women. The coming-of-age men live together with an elder of the village and are isolated from the rest of the community. The completion of this is indicated by cutting two sets of parallel lines on each side of the forehead. This is said to be a symbol of adulthood. They are also required to kill a cow to call themselves men. Talk about the start of a positive masculine adulthood. Unlike the rest of the world, the Mundari use urine from the cattle for general body upkeep as well as bleaching of hair because they regard it as an antiseptic for preventing infections. Other than that, they drink the urine as they believe that it infuses purity. This is also symbolized by their often-dyed red hair.