| A pregnant woman, carrying a child, a bucket of water and a bundle of wood demonstrates the suffering of women during the struggle in South Sudan |
| Total population |
|---|
| Approximately 950,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Sudan, South Sudan |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Pojulu ethnic groups in the South Sudan occupy the savanna lands of the Nile Valley west of Bari. They are part of Karo people (East Africa) which also includes Bari, Mundari, Kakwa, Kuku and Nyangwara. The neighbouring tribes are Bari to the east, Nyangwara, Moro to the north Kakwa to the south, west Mundu and Avukaya to the northwest. The people speak Kutuk na Pojulu as with the other Karo people (East Africa) with particular dialectic variation which highlights the difference between the Pojulu among the Karo. The majority of the Pojulu population are located at Lainya county, however the Pojulu are common in Central Equatoria they are also found in other counties of Juba and Yei.
The Pojulu differentiate into smaller clans of Nyori, Morsak, Goduck, Lobora, Mulusuk, Pirisa, Malari, Mankaro and a few other smaller ones. The population of the Pojulu is estimated to be 950,000 persons.
Contents |
The name Pojulu is derived from several sources and many people describe Pojulu in many ways. First of all, if we want to know who are the Pojulu. The Pojulu can be differentiated in the way all Bari speakers pronounce words, the way all other Bari speakers say their greetings and the way each group socialise, to wonduruba,along the road to Juba up to Lainya and from Lainya to Bereka and Wonduruba. Pojulu people also occupy the area from Lainya to Kagwada, Kopera, Jamara and Mukaya. Therefore, it is crucial for a useful information such as this to carry facts rather than assumptions in order not to misinform the future generation about Pojulu people, there is more about Pojulu as a tribe and Pojulu as people with their transparent culture of love and generosity.
The environment in central Equatoria is typically tropical but the weather regime is fast changing; becoming arid with less rain and long dry spells. The pojulu economy is predominantly agrarian. The largest teak plantation in Africa inside Loka , the planted forest reserves within the pojulu are Kawale, Lijo, Loka West and Nuni. The majority of Pojulu people are peasants practicing mixed farming: subsistence agriculture in which the main crops are cassava, sorghum, maize, simsim, groundnut, wheat, sweet potatoes, cabbages, beans, onions, tomatoes, ((Okra))etc. The pojulu keep goats, sheep, few pigs, chicken, ducks and cattle in some suitable areas due to the prevalence of tsetse fly which rendered cattle herding very difficult.
The Pojulu Economy
The Pojulu Economy depends largely on subsistence production. It is an economy which aims to meeting the daily food needs of the Pojulu community. Activities range from reliance on animal husbandry to total dependence on crop production. The Pojulu use human labor combined with the most elementary tools locally made. This primitive mode of production has dominated the lives of the Pojulu since time immemorial. The Pojulu grow both staple and cash crops. The staple crops are for consumption and include cassava, sesame, maize, beans, various, and groundnuts. The cash crops include tobacco, cotton, coffee and timber. Animal wealth exists too in Pojulu land such as goats, sheep and cattle. These are used for marriage. Chickens are raised for food. The cash crop earns the Pojulu money to enable them to purchase other goods and services. The Pojulu are not sophisticated in agricultural implements. They use local agricultural tools made locally by their own blacksmiths, using scrap iron. The local blacksmiths produce tools like Hoes, sickles, axes, arrows, spears and knives, etc. The Pojulu also practice “Mole” – a type of collective farming where a group of people between 5 – 10 or more are called to clear a field for neighbors or relative in one or two days. Here, a goat is slaughtered and beer is brewed for these people. This system of farming is advantageous. It clears hectares of land just in a day or so. “Lukonin” is also practiced. Here, two or more people agree to work in their farms on rotational basis. This system also serves time and effort or energy. Women also do the same during preparation of land for planting and weeding of crops. What is disturbing and even annoying is that past regimes, colonial or post – colonial, did absolutely nothing to alter Pojulu system of subsistence agriculture. The Pojulu were abandoned on their own. Our northern neighbors and the successive Arab governments have even perpetuated this primitive mode of production since independence. These post – colonial regimes exacerbated the system through the continuous civil war to this day. However, despite this practice of primitive agriculture, the Pojulu never suffered a major famine. There was self – sufficiency in food production for local consumption in the Pojulu community. This food sufficiency is now sustaining the remnants of the civil war today in the Pojulu land. The Pojulu chiefs play a great role in encouraging agricultural production. In the villages, chiefs pass local orders banning people from coming to the town or local station in the mornings. Local bars for “Kwete” are closed and only open at 12:00 noon. This local order makes or forces the citizens to work in the farms. The chiefs are polygamous. So, citizens volunteer to grow food crops for the chiefs and their families. During visits to the villages, the chiefs donate food to the needy families in the jurisdiction. This is Pojulu Relief Lifeline or Pojulu Food Program.
There is little knowledge about the origin of the pojulu as a people and their relation to the Bari and other Bari-speaking ethnic communities.
According to Allen Lochul and C.G. Peter, authors of the Toposa Traditional history, the Bari Speaking people of who the Pojulu are an off shoot, are believed to have originated in the Kidepo valley in Kapoeta province. These Bari speaking people were however, forced out of Kapoeta and moved south - westwards by the Toposa who are also believed to have migrated from Masindi port in Uganda. Being strong warriors, the Toposa raided and fought the Bari speaking groups and took their animals, girls, boys and women.
Therefore, the roots of the Pojulu community can be traced to Bari ancestors who were in Kapoeta through the use of linguistics and oral traditions. The present Pojulu people are therefore pure descendents of our common bari ancestors through kinship. The pre sent Toposa live in the locatiuon where the Pojulu originated. Statistically, today the Pojulu number is over 1.5 million people (as estimated in 2004).
This common ancestor of Bari groups was called Julu Lo Jululon. The dispersion of the Bari group from Kapoeta region might have been caused by several factors, which include: 1. Tribal wars in Kapoeta. 2. Drought which made people move about looking for water, food and pasture for their cattle. 3. Population explosion.
Therefore, these factors forced the people to move from place to place in search of food, water and pastures for animals and large tracts of land for agriculture.
This common ancestor referred to the above together with all his people followed the Nile and settled along the Eastern Bank of the Nile. From here a second dispersion took place possibly due to pressure for more land. It is from here where the Pojulu (are believed to have) declared their independence from the major Bari group, broke away, crossed the Nile westwards and continued their journey up to Gumbiri near the present geographical zone.
In the Gumbiri area, a third or final dispersion of the Pojulu people took place probably due to power struggle or lack of enough agricultural land. then, finally the Pojulu settled down in their present geographical locations. This was, of course, before the European scramble for Africa. In brief, this is the pre - history of the genesis of the Pojulu people. The proof that the Pojulu originated from Kapoeta is illustrated by the similarities in the studies of linguistics and oral history of the Toposa, Bari and the Pojulu peoples. These three groups of people have similar words in use in their languages:
| Example | Goat | Salt | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pojulu/Bari | Kine | 'Balang | Kolong |
| Toposa | Nyakine | Nyabalang | Nyakolong |
| Lotuko | Akine | Abalang | Akolong |
| Teso (Uganda) | Akine | Abalang | Akolong |
The Pojulu speak the Bari language with some distinct variations linked to people’s daily activities and traditions that have evolved over time from these experiences.
Pojulu is the name by which this Bari-speaking ethnic community is known. Pojulu society ascribe to certain norms and values. As with other communities, pojulu is a male dominated society. The eldest male member of the family is entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the rest unless he demonstrates incompetence and irresponsibility.
In most Pojulu areas, the eldest male member are charged with the entire responsibilities of the family or clan and elder daughters are also considered responsible for well-being of the older people. This is one of the reasons that led Pojulu women taking the role of being good carers. The Pojulu of today is different from the Pojulu of 50 years ago.
Marriage begins with courtship and once the prospective bride and groom have decided to marry, the matter is reported to both families for endorsement. Pojulu dowry is in the form of goats, cattle and cash. This is accompanied by celebrations and merriment. It is worth mentioning that pojulu dowry is not settled at a go - even if there were prospects for that. The explanation is to maintain links and relationship between the two families, and during the marriage event there is a whole celebration for the whole relatives which includes dancing, drinking, singing and conversations.
The Pojulu marry to preserve and perpetuate mankind. This is procreation. The pojulu specifically marry to produce children. Provision of services by the wife is secondary. If the new wife fails to conceive within a reasonable length of time, this creates worries and disappointment to the two families. Marriage in the Pojulu takes several methods and steps:
1.1 Mi'ya (Arranged Marriage):
This is a marriage arranged by both parents of a girl and parents of the boy. When both families have agreed to the marriage, then the dowry is paid in installments until it is completed.
1.2 Identification of Fiancée:
This is normally in social, cultural activities. For example, dances, funerals, marriage ceremonies, schools and/or even at homes. Following this, contacts are initiated and in most cases through associates (friends, relatives and/or parents). Through these associates, love messages are transmitted to both parties.
1.3 Exchange of Visits and Presents (Tu'yo):
In this stage, the two families or lovers begin to exchange visits to acquaint themselves and/or study each other. Other visits may be followed by exchange of parents which range from pottery, basketry, handcraft, food items, beer, etc. In some instances, songs and praises are constructed to express the feelings by the two parties.
1.4 Declaration of Marriage (Piya/Tobiya):
In recognition of the above steps, both families aware of what is happening begin to make necessary arrangements to have the two parties to pronounce their intentions in the presence of the members of the two families, friends and well wishers. This stage is considered the most binding for any meaningful marriage in the Pojulu culture. It is likened to taking of oath. Part of bride wealth is normally settled and once accepted, the occasion is celebrated with drinks, food and dances lasting for days.
1.5 Handing over Ceremony (Nyomoji):
Following declaration of marriage, the handing over ceremony is performed. this ceremony is prepared well in advance for the bride to be escorted to her new home. It is a commitment of both families, friends and well wishers. On the part of the bride, the family ensures provision of support for domestic items such as cooking pots, bedding, and other domestic appliances necessary for starting a new home for the bride. Drinks are prepared for this function. On the side of the bridegroom, the family also prepares to receive their son's in-laws and the new bride. This occasion in itself is a big celebration characterized by dances and drinking. In performing this function, the balance of the bride wealth may be settled.
Another important feature in this function following the above, a few days later, is empowermnet. The active player in this process is normally thye mother-in-law through arrangements with the father-in-law of the bride to introduce her to her full responsibilities and to witness for the first time start of the bride eating food prepared by her mother-in-law. This is a long Pojulu tradition that a bride or bridegroom does not eat food in the family where she/he is married to or marrying from until this function is performed. This is believed to be a measure to integrity and respect.
2. Forced Marriage:
In this kind of marriage, the boy takes the girl by force. It is a marriage that involves a lot of problems between the two families and may cause tribal or clan fights. However, after a heated debate and amicable discussion, marriage may be agreed upon dowry is then paid.
3. Marriage through Courtship
As it is briefly mentioned above, this is the normal and civilized method of marriage. Because choice of this marriage is an affair of both the boy and girl. When the relationship between the boy and the girl become strong, the girl then reveals it to her parents. the boy and girl arer interviewed whether they loved each other and willing to get married. Then, the parents give their approval or rejection. This followed by screening of both families to check whether any one family has social defect or bad social history. Here both the boy and the girl do not eat in either homes and the same thing with the parents in-laws. Marriage is by consent of parents and it is the most advisable and preferable of all marriages.
Birth of a Child
As stated above, the main aim pf the Pojulu marriage is to produce children. And it is for this reason that the mothers of the girls are advised to be strict on their girls' behaviors and movement. They are advised and coached well to be good housewives and good furure mothers.
Household Problems in the Pojulu Marriage
In a Pojulu family, there used to be unnecessary problems which made lives of a new married woman uncomfortable. Because the new wife is kept under suspicion throughout her life in the house:
1. For example, if a wife in the family takes long time to conceive and have a baby, she is suspected as beding probably a loose woman and therefore barren.
2. Further, during delivery, if labour takes a day or more, the woman is also suspected as having committed adultery. Then, she will be requested to declare publicly the person involved in this adultery.
3. Furthermore, if a newly born baby does not breast feed (rejecting the breast), the mother is also suspected and the marriage is jeopardized and may lead to divorce.
4. If the husband of the woman is continuously unhealthy or his health deteriotes, or if he happens to have a wound, that wound of his does not heals quickly. In such a situation the wife is also suspected and this may result in divorce.
However, today as a result of effects of modern civilization and the influence of Christianity, some of these things have disappeared and abandoned. Immediately after giving birth, the mother of the newly born child is condfined in her hut or room for seven (7) days, but assisted by young children. She will have her meals in the room with the young children while taking care of her new baby. The whole period of her confinement may last 21 days. During this period, other women in the family or co-wives are charged with the responsibility of all the daily services in the house.
The Naming Ceremony of the Child
This occasion is called "Yiji" in the Pojulu and it is the occasion for giving a name to the newly born-child. This is an occasion in which plenty of food is prepared, e.g. meat, beans, variety of oils, beer, etc. Some people may slaughter a goat because of happiness as a new family member has been added to their number.
After the traditions are performed usually by women, a dance is staged then the women, their husbands and most of the youth in the location join in to dance and drink to the health of the newly born.
Death when it occurs even in a natural circumstance of disease, old age, etc. is usually attributed to some mishaps and must have been instigated. The members of the family have their heads shaved throughout the mourning period. Mourning sometimes could go for up to a month.
Usually, death is a natural phenomenon. In the Pojulu, death is treated with caution and respect for the deceased. Burials are normally done in the mornings and evenings in the cooler hours of the day. Before any burial of the dead, maternal uncles have to be consulted and cleared of their requirements. the funerals can be peaceful if the traditional requirements are fulfilled otherwise, abrogation of the traditions/demands cause chaos. Christianity though has had quite an impact so much so that some traditional requiremernts considered evil in the Church are no longer being practiced. Today, many funerals are conducted in a Christian way.
The pojulu chief plays the role of a political leader with judicial powers. It is hereditary usually falling to the eldest son of the departed chief. The pojulu chief is always assisted by a council of elders, who come from different clans or families. The criterion of choosing these people is wisdom, bravery, and experience in matters pertaining to the tribe.
The Pojulu, like other Bari speaking people, believe in a Supreme Being (ŋun) who is the creator. They also believe in the existence of spirits of the departed ancestors. Many of these beliefs are now fading under the influence of modernity and Christianity. Choir in Pojulu
The Pojulu also practice African Traditional Religion before the introduction of Christianity. They practice some form of ancestral spirit worship. They however, do have the idea of one God. They know and strongly believe in one God. According to the Pojulu, it is HE who creates, protects and destroys all mankind, irrespective of race, religion or political orientation. They believe that human kind is subject to the one Supreme power of God.
The BIRI Religion (1910–1917)
There was among the Pojulu, a religion known as the Biri religion. This was a cultural import. The Biri religion came to the Pojulu, brought by the Muna Akufi between 1910 - 1917. In this religion, people were baptized, however, unlike Christianity, in the Birir religion, water not used in baptism. But this religion did prepare the Pojulu for the coming of Christianity. When Christianity came, it was accepted without resistance.
Traces of the Biri religion are still known among us today in the names of the converts. Because believers of the Biri religion received names such as Makambili, Kamara, Doromo, Piri-Piri, Kamisa, Maamet, Malangi, etc. The converts became disciples. They were considered holy and they spread the Biri religion to other lands. They traveled from village to village - converting unbelievers into the biri religion. This was their fellowship. When the Biri religion died out, it gave way Christianity which was better able t meet the spiritual and material needs of the believers.
Islam in Pojulu Land
Since the Ottoman Empire and through the Mahdiya, Islam has little impact on the Pojulu. And during the era of General Ibrahim Abboud (1958–1964), attempts were made to introduce Islam in Pojulu land. These attempts also did not succeed, Khalwa and Maahads flourished in the major towns and it was these towns that some Pojulu convert in to Islam and adopted Islamic names.
Modern Christianity
Christianity is foreign to the Pojulu, it came to Yei in 1916 and spread to pojulu land. In 1929, Nugent School was opened in loka and from there Christianity spread to the Pojulu land.
Therefore, to wind up on the role of religion among the Pojulu, we have seen that the African Traditional Religion (ART) has prepared the Pojulu to receive and embrace Christianity. These beliefs have created the spirit of love where hatred had existed.
They have welded the Pojulu together as Christians. besides, unity of our people has taken roots in our land and gathering of Pojulu today is proof of this unity. We have been able to create and develop Christian institutions in our land. We have been able to train Christian leaders too who preach love and unity.
Like other communities, the pojulu have evolved an oral culture expressed in songs, poems, dance, music, folklore, magic. Neighbours and Foreign Relations The Pojulu neighbour: Nyangwara and Moro to the north Bari to the east Kakwa to the south and west Mundu and Avukaya to the northwest. In the past, the Pojulu forged a rare alliance with Moro, Mundu against the marauding Azande armies. This cut off the main Azande force and led to the formation of the Makaraka.
The Pojulu Indigenous Education
Education is defined as the “aggregate of all the process by means of which a person develops abilities, attitudes, and other forms of behavior of positive value in the society in which he/she lives”. Education includes all the learning experiences that shape us into persons. Education to the Pojulu is life long. It takes place anywhere in the community, at work and at play and from cradle to the grave. The Aims and objectives All primitive societies have organized and maintained education to introduce the young into the organized life of the society. The Pojulu community is no exception. The aims of Pojulu traditional education were many and varied. • To teach children customs, mores, and traditions in order to preserve the culture of the society and to promulgate the ideals of the society. • To give young people skills and knowledge for making a living as adults. For instance the skills in gardening, farming, hunting, gathering, fishing, marriage, singing and dancing. • To preserve the societies culture in order to live the good life. To lead a life loyal to the elders, clan, and tribe and to be faithful and respectful to the gods. • To improve moral and character training for obedience and self – discipline. The foundation of any good society is the disciplined individual in a disciplined family, living in social harmony in a disciplined society.
Pojulu Pre – Colonial Education
Education is not the prerogative of the west. Neither is education the prerogative of a fortune for few individuals. Education is a right and it is for all. The Pojulu are exceptions. They also initiated and developed their own indigenous system of education suited to their environment and for their needs. The Pojulu therefore have practiced education since the creation of mankind. The home is the child’s first school in the Pojulu society. The fire place is the classroom. It is here that the foundation should be laid for a life of service. Its principle is to be taught not merely in theory but in practice. They are to shape the whole personality and life of the Pojulu child.
Pojulu teachers
These are the brain behind Pojulu educational system. The family circle, the neighbors and the tribal groupings exercised great influence and impact on the growth, development and education of the Pojulu child. This is the principle of communitarians. This is the concept that the Pojulu child is not left to the parents to bring it up. The community also participates in the development and education of the child. The child is a collective responsibility of the parents, clan and the tribe. Pojulu indigenous type of education started at the time the child is born and ends with death. The Pojulu system of education is participatory, practical system of education. It imparts what the child must know through the family and clan traditions. It is generally informal education. In this system, there are no buildings, classrooms or schools, only the fireplace, big shady trees, etc., which provided the classrooms. But teachers are available in the person of the father, the mother, grandmother, baby – sitter, brothers and sisters, relatives and the entire community or neighborhood.
The Subject – Matter
The subject – matter is various and wide. Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught to the child. As soon as strength and reasoning powers are sufficiently developed, he/she should be given duties to perform at home. He/she is encouraged to help the father and the mother and convenience first before his own, to watch the opportunities, to cheer and assist brothers, sisters, playmates and to show kindness to the aged, the sick, the old and the unfortunate. The more fully the spirit of love pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the goods of others and the community at large.
The Curriculum of Pojulu Indigenous Education
Most skills about knowledge about things and the environment are absorbed by children through observation and initiation of the elders and older peers. Some children learn by apprenticeship. The importance of both parents on the growing and developing child is of great value as they are closet to the child. The late president of Kenya Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in his book, “when the Child has grown beyond childhood, the father takes charge of the boy’s education, while the mother takes the whole responsibility of the girls’ education and a part of the boy’s education. Besides, while the girl is normally pre – occupied with some domestic duties helping the mother, the boy has other activities. These include agriculture, rearing domestic animals, etc. domestic animals are the wealth of the family and the tribe. Otherwise, the boys too fetch firewood for the elderly for warming the body in the evening. In the garden, the boys learn about various trees in the nearby forest. This is forest ecology. They also learn about various plants in the vegetation identifying their types, uses and names. This is botany. The children must know which trees are useful for building houses, grain stores, etc. They must know the herbs that provide the Pojulu with medicines e.g. “Dikori Ti – Melo”, etc. This is a community medicine. They must identify which trees are good for making bows and arrows, very useful weapons in hunting animals. Trees, which resist white ants, are identified. The boys also learn about birds of the air in the forests to know which birds are eatable, harmful to crops, and how they can be trapped and captured. This is bird ecology or zoology or ornithology. Mothers and fathers and the community teach the children the laws and customs of the clan and tribe, which govern moral code, civic codes, and general rules of etiquette in the community. This category includes the study of civics, sociology and the tribal laws. By this practical training the children are prepared for life in the community in which they will eventually come to live in when they grow in to adulthood.
Missionary Schools
The first missionaries to enter Yei were Rev. A. Shaw and Gwynne in 1911, but the real Missionary activities began in Yei in 1917 when schools started. The delay of founding and establishing schools was caused by the prevalence of sleeping sickness in the area which affected both the citizens and the missionaries and finally their missionary activities and plans. Yei Church was built and in 1940, Girls school was opened. This school recruited pupils as far as Pojulu land in Loka and Lainya. Miss Gilbert became the headmistress of the Yei Girl’s School. She gave her life to the school until her retirement in the late 1960s. Pupils were taught in Bangalla and later in Bari and English. In 1929, Missionary work extended to Loka where Nugent School – Loka was opened for boys. This was the only Christian Missionary School intermediate school in Pojulu land. Lainya Technical School was opened about the same time for carpenters, masons and plumbers, and brick making, etc.
The just concluded long running war caused drastic changes in the lives of the Pojulu. Many were displaced and this eroded their social and family fabric. A separate administrative unit was established separating the Pojulu from the Kakwa and others in Yei River District.
The diaspora of the Pojulu people is highlighted by the move to Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa and Egypt. Others live in displaced people’s camps in Juba, Sudan, Khartoum and other towns. Some are now living in USA, UK, Israel, Europ, New Zealand and Australia