we’ve actually traveled about 270,000 miles across Africa in 40 different
miles across Africa in 40 different
miles across Africa in 40 different countries in the Sahara by camel caravan
countries in the Sahara by camel caravan
countries in the Sahara by camel caravan in the Omo River Valley by mule train by
in the Omo River Valley by mule train by
in the Omo River Valley by mule train by sailing down across the East African
sailing down across the East African
sailing down across the East African coast and on foot in many different
coast and on foot in many different
coast and on foot in many different areas we like to take you to one of the
areas we like to take you to one of the
areas we like to take you to one of the most remote corners of Africa good
most remote corners of Africa good
most remote corners of Africa good evening everyone
evening everyone
evening everyone Angela and I would like to welcome you
Angela and I would like to welcome you
Angela and I would like to welcome you all warmly to our presentation tonight
all warmly to our presentation tonight
all warmly to our presentation tonight at National Geographic lies tonight were
at National Geographic lies tonight were
at National Geographic lies tonight were gathered here to celebrate the launch of
gathered here to celebrate the launch of
gathered here to celebrate the launch of our new book on the Dinka the legendary
our new book on the Dinka the legendary
our new book on the Dinka the legendary cattle keepers of Sudan of all of the
cattle keepers of Sudan of all of the
cattle keepers of Sudan of all of the pastoral people’s across the continent
pastoral people’s across the continent
pastoral people’s across the continent that we’ve worked with over 30 years the
that we’ve worked with over 30 years the
that we’ve worked with over 30 years the Dinka remained closest to our hearts
Dinka remained closest to our hearts
Dinka remained closest to our hearts Sudan is the largest country in Africa
Sudan is the largest country in Africa
Sudan is the largest country in Africa and roughly one-quarter the size of the
and roughly one-quarter the size of the
and roughly one-quarter the size of the United States it’s also the most
United States it’s also the most
United States it’s also the most challenging terrain that we’ve ever
challenging terrain that we’ve ever
challenging terrain that we’ve ever worked in for each of our daily trips we
worked in for each of our daily trips we
worked in for each of our daily trips we would drive a vehicle from Nairobi Kenya
would drive a vehicle from Nairobi Kenya
would drive a vehicle from Nairobi Kenya fully stocked with all of the food the
fully stocked with all of the food the
fully stocked with all of the food the fuel the spare parts that we would need
fuel the spare parts that we would need
fuel the spare parts that we would need for a stay of 5 weeks and when we
for a stay of 5 weeks and when we
for a stay of 5 weeks and when we arrived in Sudan we faced another
arrived in Sudan we faced another
arrived in Sudan we faced another challenge and that is finding the data
challenge and that is finding the data
challenge and that is finding the data cattle camps scattered in the vast
cattle camps scattered in the vast
cattle camps scattered in the vast swamplands of the river nile the largest
swamplands of the river nile the largest
swamplands of the river nile the largest swampland in the world even before we
swampland in the world even before we
swampland in the world even before we went to southern Sudan in the 1970s
went to southern Sudan in the 1970s
went to southern Sudan in the 1970s we’ve actually been fascinated
we’ve actually been fascinated
we’ve actually been fascinated Dinka they have some of the most
Dinka they have some of the most
Dinka they have some of the most beautiful body beadwork they have
beautiful body beadwork they have
beautiful body beadwork they have wonderful courtship ceremonies but above
wonderful courtship ceremonies but above
wonderful courtship ceremonies but above all we were really taken by their
all we were really taken by their
all we were really taken by their extraordinary relationship with their
extraordinary relationship with their
extraordinary relationship with their cattle once every year for four months
cattle once every year for four months
cattle once every year for four months the Dinka actually take their animals
the Dinka actually take their animals
the Dinka actually take their animals down to the swamplands to graze this is
down to the swamplands to graze this is
down to the swamplands to graze this is a time when young people leave the old
a time when young people leave the old
a time when young people leave the old people behind in the villages and go on
people behind in the villages and go on
people behind in the villages and go on their own with the animals it’s also a
their own with the animals it’s also a
their own with the animals it’s also a chance for young people to get to know
chance for young people to get to know
chance for young people to get to know one one another they actually spend
one one another they actually spend
one one another they actually spend their time done on the swamplands
their time done on the swamplands
their time done on the swamplands grazing their animals during the day and
grazing their animals during the day and
grazing their animals during the day and sleeping beside them at night the dinkar
sleeping beside them at night the dinkar
sleeping beside them at night the dinkar say that of all the people in Africa
say that of all the people in Africa
say that of all the people in Africa they are the most devoted to their
they are the most devoted to their
they are the most devoted to their animals and their cattle they see as the
animals and their cattle they see as the
animals and their cattle they see as the most beautiful cattle in the world they
most beautiful cattle in the world they
most beautiful cattle in the world they live off their milk they sleep off their
live off their milk they sleep off their
live off their milk they sleep off their heart they sleep on their hides and they
heart they sleep on their hides and they
heart they sleep on their hides and they actually believe that these animals are
actually believe that these animals are
actually believe that these animals are their spiritual link to God Dinka men
their spiritual link to God Dinka men
their spiritual link to God Dinka men wear colorful beaded corsets that
wear colorful beaded corsets that
wear colorful beaded corsets that actually indicate their progression in
actually indicate their progression in
actually indicate their progression in life these corsets are literally tied
life these corsets are literally tied
life these corsets are literally tied onto the body at the front and they’re
onto the body at the front and they’re
onto the body at the front and they’re never taken off except to be removed to
never taken off except to be removed to
never taken off except to be removed to be replaced by another corset which
be replaced by another corset which
be replaced by another corset which indicates they’re going into a new age
indicates they’re going into a new age
indicates they’re going into a new age grade the man on the right here wearing
grade the man on the right here wearing
grade the man on the right here wearing the pink corset is actually 15 to 25
the pink corset is actually 15 to 25
the pink corset is actually 15 to 25 years old whereas the man on the left
years old whereas the man on the left
years old whereas the man on the left with the yellow corset is indicating
with the yellow corset is indicating
with the yellow corset is indicating that he’s nearly 30 and ready for
that he’s nearly 30 and ready for
that he’s nearly 30 and ready for marriage the size of a man’s corset is
marriage the size of a man’s corset is
marriage the size of a man’s corset is revealing to every young girl the number
revealing to every young girl the number
revealing to every young girl the number of cattle that his family have and also
of cattle that his family have and also
of cattle that his family have and also the number of cattle they would be
the number of cattle they would be
the number of cattle they would be willing to pay for this young girl’s
willing to pay for this young girl’s
willing to pay for this young girl’s hand in marriage this is probably the
hand in marriage this is probably the
hand in marriage this is probably the most beautiful course that we’ve ever
most beautiful course that we’ve ever
most beautiful course that we’ve ever seen ending
seen ending
seen ending Calland and it’s the only one that we’ve
Calland and it’s the only one that we’ve
Calland and it’s the only one that we’ve ever seen being worn by a woman the
ever seen being worn by a woman the
ever seen being worn by a woman the height of this corset at the back was
height of this corset at the back was
height of this corset at the back was extraordinary and it was revealing that
extraordinary and it was revealing that
extraordinary and it was revealing that her family wanted 80 head of cattle for
her family wanted 80 head of cattle for
her family wanted 80 head of cattle for her hand in marriage Carol and I’ve
her hand in marriage Carol and I’ve
her hand in marriage Carol and I’ve often wondered about the origin of the
often wondered about the origin of the
often wondered about the origin of the corset where did this design come from
corset where did this design come from
corset where did this design come from was it the early 19th centuries century
was it the early 19th centuries century
was it the early 19th centuries century travelers coming up the River Nile may
travelers coming up the River Nile may
travelers coming up the River Nile may be the wife of Sir Samuel Baker who was
be the wife of Sir Samuel Baker who was
be the wife of Sir Samuel Baker who was highly fashionable and had an incredible
highly fashionable and had an incredible
highly fashionable and had an incredible wasp waist or were they the people
wasp waist or were they the people
wasp waist or were they the people inspiring the Dinka or were the Dinka in
inspiring the Dinka or were the Dinka in
inspiring the Dinka or were the Dinka in turn actually inspiring the early
turn actually inspiring the early
turn actually inspiring the early travelers with their incredible beaded
travelers with their incredible beaded
travelers with their incredible beaded corsets that really shaped their
corsets that really shaped their
corsets that really shaped their extraordinary physiques the date that
extraordinary physiques the date that
extraordinary physiques the date that dry season cattle cabs offered time in
dry season cattle cabs offered time in
dry season cattle cabs offered time in place for young people to beat in
place for young people to beat in
place for young people to beat in freedom sexual matters are discussed
freedom sexual matters are discussed
freedom sexual matters are discussed quite openly but behavior is extremely
quite openly but behavior is extremely
quite openly but behavior is extremely innocent for a girl to become pregnant
innocent for a girl to become pregnant
innocent for a girl to become pregnant out of wedlock is absolutely taboo and
out of wedlock is absolutely taboo and
out of wedlock is absolutely taboo and would seriously hamper her chances of
would seriously hamper her chances of
would seriously hamper her chances of finding a proper husband the Dinka were
finding a proper husband the Dinka were
finding a proper husband the Dinka were up to seven foot six inches tall and
up to seven foot six inches tall and
up to seven foot six inches tall and covered with white ash were referred to
covered with white ash were referred to
covered with white ash were referred to as the gentle or ghostly Giants by the
as the gentle or ghostly Giants by the
as the gentle or ghostly Giants by the early explorers but they however call
early explorers but they however call
early explorers but they however call themselves mone John which means the men
themselves mone John which means the men
themselves mone John which means the men of all men and they are indeed the
of all men and they are indeed the
of all men and they are indeed the tallest race on the African continent
when a girl reaches 17 to 18 years old
when a girl reaches 17 to 18 years old her family considers that she’s ready
her family considers that she’s ready
her family considers that she’s ready for marriage they fatten her up to look
for marriage they fatten her up to look
for marriage they fatten her up to look attractive and they veiled her
attractive and they veiled her
attractive and they veiled her femininity with an alluring beaded
femininity with an alluring beaded
femininity with an alluring beaded bodice these beaded bodice ‘iz are
bodice these beaded bodice ‘iz are
bodice these beaded bodice ‘iz are meticulously crafted by the girl’s
meticulously crafted by the girl’s
meticulously crafted by the girl’s mother and given to her at the time of
mother and given to her at the time of
mother and given to her at the time of Mara
Mara
Mara later to be handed down to a younger
later to be handed down to a younger
later to be handed down to a younger sister if you look closely at the center
sister if you look closely at the center
sister if you look closely at the center band of this corset you see that there
band of this corset you see that there
band of this corset you see that there are a number of calories Shell’s study
are a number of calories Shell’s study
are a number of calories Shell’s study it these shells are believed to promote
it these shells are believed to promote
it these shells are believed to promote fertility and assure that a girl will
fertility and assure that a girl will
fertility and assure that a girl will have a child within the first few years
have a child within the first few years
have a child within the first few years of marriage at puberty a man receives a
of marriage at puberty a man receives a
of marriage at puberty a man receives a namesake ox this is a very particular ox
namesake ox this is a very particular ox
namesake ox this is a very particular ox he’s not only named after him but this
he’s not only named after him but this
he’s not only named after him but this is his personality ox he actually
is his personality ox he actually
is his personality ox he actually believes at this stage that he and the
believes at this stage that he and the
believes at this stage that he and the animal are one this animal is the
animal are one this animal is the
animal are one this animal is the completion of his personality he takes
completion of his personality he takes
completion of his personality he takes this animal everywhere with him and he
this animal everywhere with him and he
this animal everywhere with him and he even takes him when his courting young
even takes him when his courting young
even takes him when his courting young girls at this stage he sings songs
girls at this stage he sings songs
girls at this stage he sings songs extolling the beauty of this young girl
extolling the beauty of this young girl
extolling the beauty of this young girl but also songs praising the magnificence
but also songs praising the magnificence
but also songs praising the magnificence of his ox this huge powerful and virile
of his ox this huge powerful and virile
of his ox this huge powerful and virile Beast which he of course believes is
Beast which he of course believes is
Beast which he of course believes is himself he’s trained his horn since
himself he’s trained his horn since
himself he’s trained his horn since karffard and he’s powdered them with ash
karffard and he’s powdered them with ash
karffard and he’s powdered them with ash he also hangs cow tail tassels from the
he also hangs cow tail tassels from the
he also hangs cow tail tassels from the very tip of them of the horns and this
very tip of them of the horns and this
very tip of them of the horns and this is an extra beautification during the
is an extra beautification during the
is an extra beautification during the courtship period every day when we’re in
courtship period every day when we’re in
courtship period every day when we’re in the cattle camps we watched thousands of
the cattle camps we watched thousands of
the cattle camps we watched thousands of animals being taken out to graze the
animals being taken out to graze the
animals being taken out to graze the white bulls are the Dinkas favorite
white bulls are the Dinkas favorite
white bulls are the Dinkas favorite color but then we realize there’s
color but then we realize there’s
color but then we realize there’s hundreds of recognized colors for Bulls
hundreds of recognized colors for Bulls
hundreds of recognized colors for Bulls and each has its tiny distinction what
and each has its tiny distinction what
and each has its tiny distinction what we enjoyed was watching Dinka elders
we enjoyed was watching Dinka elders
we enjoyed was watching Dinka elders during the day spending hours discussing
during the day spending hours discussing
during the day spending hours discussing their Bulls markings and they would do
their Bulls markings and they would do
their Bulls markings and they would do it with such reverence and detail we
it with such reverence and detail we
it with such reverence and detail we thought this is just how we discuss a
thought this is just how we discuss a
thought this is just how we discuss a fine work of art in the West one day
fine work of art in the West one day
fine work of art in the West one day when the animals were out grazing we
when the animals were out grazing we
when the animals were out grazing we actually saw two dinkar men holding
actually saw two dinkar men holding
actually saw two dinkar men holding their arms in the shape of the horns of
their arms in the shape of the horns of
their arms in the shape of the horns of their face
their face
their face at balls and we looked at them and we
at balls and we looked at them and we
at balls and we looked at them and we thought what is happening here and then
thought what is happening here and then
thought what is happening here and then suddenly we saw them approach a young
suddenly we saw them approach a young
suddenly we saw them approach a young girl who was ready for marriage this
girl who was ready for marriage this
girl who was ready for marriage this young girl was named young she had just
young girl was named young she had just
young girl was named young she had just turned 17 and she just been given a
turned 17 and she just been given a
turned 17 and she just been given a beaded bodice by her mother indicating
beaded bodice by her mother indicating
beaded bodice by her mother indicating that she was ready for courtship her two
that she was ready for courtship her two
that she was ready for courtship her two suitors took turns
suitors took turns
suitors took turns leaping as high as they could in front
leaping as high as they could in front
leaping as high as they could in front of her trying to captivate her attention
of her trying to captivate her attention
of her trying to captivate her attention and she in turn would dance with each
and she in turn would dance with each
and she in turn would dance with each one of them carefully studying their
one of them carefully studying their
one of them carefully studying their intentions Angela and I could see that
intentions Angela and I could see that
intentions Angela and I could see that she was clearly attracted to one over
she was clearly attracted to one over
she was clearly attracted to one over the other
the other
the other however we knew that despite this
however we knew that despite this
however we knew that despite this attraction the man who had the most
attraction the man who had the most
attraction the man who had the most cattle would be the man who had wind her
cattle would be the man who had wind her
cattle would be the man who had wind her hand in marriage he would be able to
hand in marriage he would be able to
hand in marriage he would be able to afford the high bride price required by
afford the high bride price required by
afford the high bride price required by her parents to give away their daughter
her parents to give away their daughter
her parents to give away their daughter during the dry season the Dinka move
during the dry season the Dinka move
during the dry season the Dinka move their cattle camps quite frequently they
their cattle camps quite frequently they
their cattle camps quite frequently they do this because they’re searching for
do this because they’re searching for
do this because they’re searching for new pasture for their animals
new pasture for their animals
new pasture for their animals now often they had to cross tributaries
now often they had to cross tributaries
now often they had to cross tributaries of a Nile and sometimes these
of a Nile and sometimes these
of a Nile and sometimes these tributaries were so deep but we couldn’t
tributaries were so deep but we couldn’t
tributaries were so deep but we couldn’t take the vehicle across and we had to
take the vehicle across and we had to
take the vehicle across and we had to turn back at other times we were lucky
turn back at other times we were lucky
turn back at other times we were lucky and we found a dugout canoe at this
and we found a dugout canoe at this
and we found a dugout canoe at this stage we would cross the river by canoe
stage we would cross the river by canoe
stage we would cross the river by canoe and then follow the Dinka on foot
and then follow the Dinka on foot
and then follow the Dinka on foot the only problem here is what to do with
the only problem here is what to do with
the only problem here is what to do with our vehicle and we had to take the risk
our vehicle and we had to take the risk
our vehicle and we had to take the risk we left the vehicle with what we hoped
we left the vehicle with what we hoped
we left the vehicle with what we hoped was a trusty herdsmen cross the river
was a trusty herdsmen cross the river
was a trusty herdsmen cross the river and then sometimes came back maybe four
and then sometimes came back maybe four
and then sometimes came back maybe four or five days later praying that the
or five days later praying that the
or five days later praying that the vehicle with all our equipment in was
vehicle with all our equipment in was
vehicle with all our equipment in was still intact and every single time we
still intact and every single time we
still intact and every single time we found the same trusty herdsmen sitting
found the same trusty herdsmen sitting
found the same trusty herdsmen sitting by the Dinka sitting by the car at least
by the Dinka sitting by the car at least
by the Dinka sitting by the car at least and we thought to ourselves
and we thought to ourselves
and we thought to ourselves these Dinka are
these Dinka are
these Dinka are really amazing they were patient
really amazing they were patient
really amazing they were patient tolerant and extremely trustworthy as we
tolerant and extremely trustworthy as we
tolerant and extremely trustworthy as we watched the river crossings we would
watched the river crossings we would
watched the river crossings we would often see herdsmen carrying the baby
often see herdsmen carrying the baby
often see herdsmen carrying the baby calves across protecting them from the
calves across protecting them from the
calves across protecting them from the deep Swift lowing waters
deep Swift lowing waters
deep Swift lowing waters well the herdsmen looked after all the
well the herdsmen looked after all the
well the herdsmen looked after all the young animals the women are responsible
young animals the women are responsible
young animals the women are responsible for the children but being in Africa
for the children but being in Africa
for the children but being in Africa this wasn’t where a woman’s
this wasn’t where a woman’s
this wasn’t where a woman’s responsibility finished women were in
responsibility finished women were in
responsibility finished women were in fact responsible for carrying the entire
fact responsible for carrying the entire
fact responsible for carrying the entire communities possession from Camp to camp
communities possession from Camp to camp
communities possession from Camp to camp they would very carefully wrap up all
they would very carefully wrap up all
they would very carefully wrap up all the cooking parts and the personal items
the cooking parts and the personal items
the cooking parts and the personal items in their hide sleeping mats put them on
in their hide sleeping mats put them on
in their hide sleeping mats put them on their heads and carry them from Camp to
their heads and carry them from Camp to
their heads and carry them from Camp to camp often very many miles apart as the
camp often very many miles apart as the
camp often very many miles apart as the dry season grew to an end we often saw
dry season grew to an end we often saw
dry season grew to an end we often saw many Dinka herdsmen come together and
many Dinka herdsmen come together and
many Dinka herdsmen come together and start what we called wild fishing
start what we called wild fishing
start what we called wild fishing frenzies this is a time where the Dinka
frenzies this is a time where the Dinka
frenzies this is a time where the Dinka herdsmen take their spears and catch the
herdsmen take their spears and catch the
herdsmen take their spears and catch the fish that are caught beneath the swamps
fish that are caught beneath the swamps
fish that are caught beneath the swamps the reason for this is they’re looking
the reason for this is they’re looking
the reason for this is they’re looking for a supplement to their milk diet the
for a supplement to their milk diet the
for a supplement to their milk diet the milk is getting less and less and the
milk is getting less and less and the
milk is getting less and less and the fish was an important supplement the
fish was an important supplement the
fish was an important supplement the Dinka would take the fish but they would
Dinka would take the fish but they would
Dinka would take the fish but they would never be called fishermen they used to
never be called fishermen they used to
never be called fishermen they used to say we’re not fishermen fishermen a poor
say we’re not fishermen fishermen a poor
say we’re not fishermen fishermen a poor and weak
and weak
and weak we’re herdsmen and herdsmen a tall
we’re herdsmen and herdsmen a tall
we’re herdsmen and herdsmen a tall strong and sturdy at this time Dinka
strong and sturdy at this time Dinka
strong and sturdy at this time Dinka formed small groups around clumps of
formed small groups around clumps of
formed small groups around clumps of grass and at a signal they actually
grass and at a signal they actually
grass and at a signal they actually raised their spears high in the ground
raised their spears high in the ground
raised their spears high in the ground and as they close in their circle they
and as they close in their circle they
and as they close in their circle they stabbed the grass repeatedly catching
stabbed the grass repeatedly catching
stabbed the grass repeatedly catching absolutely everything as they go
absolutely everything as they go
absolutely everything as they go sometimes quite by accident they would
sometimes quite by accident they would
sometimes quite by accident they would spear monitor lizard
spear monitor lizard
spear monitor lizard which you see here or even pythons and
which you see here or even pythons and
which you see here or even pythons and when a boy would catch a monitor lizard
when a boy would catch a monitor lizard
when a boy would catch a monitor lizard he would say the fatty substance of this
he would say the fatty substance of this
he would say the fatty substance of this creature is highly nutritional to build
creature is highly nutritional to build
creature is highly nutritional to build the strength of newborn calves Angela
the strength of newborn calves Angela
the strength of newborn calves Angela and I would spend hours sitting along
and I would spend hours sitting along
and I would spend hours sitting along the banks of the rivers or by the
the banks of the rivers or by the
the banks of the rivers or by the watering holes watching children collect
watering holes watching children collect
watering holes watching children collect water hyacinth flowers and fashion
water hyacinth flowers and fashion
water hyacinth flowers and fashion fantastic masks and headdresses and then
fantastic masks and headdresses and then
fantastic masks and headdresses and then present themselves to us to photograph
the data are very possessive about their
the data are very possessive about their animals they will rarely kill an animal
animals they will rarely kill an animal
animals they will rarely kill an animal they will sometimes exchange them to pay
they will sometimes exchange them to pay
they will sometimes exchange them to pay for brides to win women for their hands
for brides to win women for their hands
for brides to win women for their hands in marriage and occasionally they’ll
in marriage and occasionally they’ll
in marriage and occasionally they’ll sacrifice an animal to receive a
sacrifice an animal to receive a
sacrifice an animal to receive a blessing from God when they sacrifice
blessing from God when they sacrifice
blessing from God when they sacrifice animals they do so in shrines which are
animals they do so in shrines which are
animals they do so in shrines which are deep in the bush and at these sites one
deep in the bush and at these sites one
deep in the bush and at these sites one sees many cattle horns tarped from the
sees many cattle horns tarped from the
sees many cattle horns tarped from the trunks of trees the Dinka would explain
trunks of trees the Dinka would explain
trunks of trees the Dinka would explain to us that these cattle horns are
to us that these cattle horns are
to us that these cattle horns are believed to be their direct link into
believed to be their direct link into
believed to be their direct link into the spirit world following our first
the spirit world following our first
the spirit world following our first visits to the Dinka in the late 70s and
visits to the Dinka in the late 70s and
visits to the Dinka in the late 70s and early 80’s the Dinka fell victims to it
early 80’s the Dinka fell victims to it
early 80’s the Dinka fell victims to it a 30 year civil war between the islamic
a 30 year civil war between the islamic
a 30 year civil war between the islamic north and the animist and christian
north and the animist and christian
north and the animist and christian south during this time two million Dinka
south during this time two million Dinka
south during this time two million Dinka were killed and four million southern
were killed and four million southern
were killed and four million southern Sudanese displaced many of the Dinka
Sudanese displaced many of the Dinka
Sudanese displaced many of the Dinka were taken to the United States and
were taken to the United States and
were taken to the United States and became known as The Lost Boys of Sudan
became known as The Lost Boys of Sudan
became known as The Lost Boys of Sudan in 2005 a peace treaty was signed
in 2005 a peace treaty was signed
in 2005 a peace treaty was signed between the Islamic north and Christian
between the Islamic north and Christian
between the Islamic north and Christian animus south the borders reopened and
animus south the borders reopened and
animus south the borders reopened and Angela and I immediately returned but
Angela and I immediately returned but
Angela and I immediately returned but everywhere the tragedy of war had left
everywhere the tragedy of war had left
everywhere the tragedy of war had left its mark villages were bombed roads were
its mark villages were bombed roads were
its mark villages were bombed roads were mined
mined
mined and the Dinka had virtually lost their
and the Dinka had virtually lost their
and the Dinka had virtually lost their unique creative identity their beautiful
unique creative identity their beautiful
unique creative identity their beautiful body beadwork had been replaced with
body beadwork had been replaced with
body beadwork had been replaced with Kalashnikov rifles and often with
Kalashnikov rifles and often with
Kalashnikov rifles and often with western clothes after the war it became
western clothes after the war it became
western clothes after the war it became more and more difficult to find the
more and more difficult to find the
more and more difficult to find the Dinka dry season cattle camps the last
Dinka dry season cattle camps the last
Dinka dry season cattle camps the last trip that carol and I did to Southern
trip that carol and I did to Southern
trip that carol and I did to Southern Sudan in 2007 was one of the most
Sudan in 2007 was one of the most
Sudan in 2007 was one of the most grueling trips we’ve ever done in Africa
grueling trips we’ve ever done in Africa
grueling trips we’ve ever done in Africa we traveled for a month on the swampland
we traveled for a month on the swampland
we traveled for a month on the swampland and we traveled skirting mined roads
and we traveled skirting mined roads
and we traveled skirting mined roads driving over potholed boggy terrain and
driving over potholed boggy terrain and
driving over potholed boggy terrain and through 12-foot elephant grass of the
through 12-foot elephant grass of the
through 12-foot elephant grass of the swamps the temperatures each day range
swamps the temperatures each day range
swamps the temperatures each day range from a hundred to a hundred and twenty
from a hundred to a hundred and twenty
from a hundred to a hundred and twenty degrees and the only shade in the midday
degrees and the only shade in the midday
degrees and the only shade in the midday hours was under the some of a car we
hours was under the some of a car we
hours was under the some of a car we actually never kept a diary
actually never kept a diary
actually never kept a diary we couldn’t even make our minds think it
we couldn’t even make our minds think it
we couldn’t even make our minds think it was so hot however when we were just
was so hot however when we were just
was so hot however when we were just about to turn back we came across the
about to turn back we came across the
about to turn back we came across the most unforgettable sight this is a Dinka
most unforgettable sight this is a Dinka
most unforgettable sight this is a Dinka dry season cattle camp with 2,000 head
dry season cattle camp with 2,000 head
dry season cattle camp with 2,000 head of cattle and this was a camp that still
of cattle and this was a camp that still
of cattle and this was a camp that still hold the very essence of Dinka
hold the very essence of Dinka
hold the very essence of Dinka traditional life the camp really held a
traditional life the camp really held a
traditional life the camp really held a beauty for us and we were just taken at
beauty for us and we were just taken at
beauty for us and we were just taken at the view at sunset the layers of smoke
the view at sunset the layers of smoke
the view at sunset the layers of smoke that lay across the camp and the
that lay across the camp and the
that lay across the camp and the silhouettes of the herders with their
silhouettes of the herders with their
silhouettes of the herders with their cattle and their like horns every night
cattle and their like horns every night
cattle and their like horns every night we would watch the gentle dinkar bring
we would watch the gentle dinkar bring
we would watch the gentle dinkar bring their animals in from grazing they
their animals in from grazing they
their animals in from grazing they tether them and then they would rub
tether them and then they would rub
tether them and then they would rub their horns and caress them for several
their horns and caress them for several
their horns and caress them for several hours and rub their bellies with ash
hours and rub their bellies with ash
hours and rub their bellies with ash young children had actually been
young children had actually been
young children had actually been scraping dry cattle dung into
scraping dry cattle dung into
scraping dry cattle dung into chronical mounds during the day this
chronical mounds during the day this
chronical mounds during the day this cattle dung fuels the fires at night and
cattle dung fuels the fires at night and
cattle dung fuels the fires at night and these fires fill the camp with smoke
these fires fill the camp with smoke
these fires fill the camp with smoke that actually keeps the mosquitoes at
that actually keeps the mosquitoes at
that actually keeps the mosquitoes at bay the fires burned down to ash in the
bay the fires burned down to ash in the
bay the fires burned down to ash in the morning and then the young Dinka boys
morning and then the young Dinka boys
morning and then the young Dinka boys apply the ash to their skin to further
apply the ash to their skin to further
apply the ash to their skin to further protect themselves from not just
protect themselves from not just
protect themselves from not just mosquitoes
mosquitoes
mosquitoes but also from taxi flies what touched us
but also from taxi flies what touched us
but also from taxi flies what touched us throughout our stay and time with the
throughout our stay and time with the
throughout our stay and time with the Dinka was their incredible bond with
Dinka was their incredible bond with
Dinka was their incredible bond with their animals in the early mornings we’d
their animals in the early mornings we’d
their animals in the early mornings we’d walk into the camp and there we’d find
walk into the camp and there we’d find
walk into the camp and there we’d find children still cuddled up round the
children still cuddled up round the
children still cuddled up round the conical fires and they were cuddled up
conical fires and they were cuddled up
conical fires and they were cuddled up with their dogs their calves and their
with their dogs their calves and their
with their dogs their calves and their goats these creatures were their closest
goats these creatures were their closest
goats these creatures were their closest members of the family every age grade in
members of the family every age grade in
members of the family every age grade in the cattle camp has its own duties and
the cattle camp has its own duties and
the cattle camp has its own duties and responsibilities early in the morning we
responsibilities early in the morning we
responsibilities early in the morning we would watch the young boys go out to
would watch the young boys go out to
would watch the young boys go out to milk the goats often with the young kid
milk the goats often with the young kid
milk the goats often with the young kid competing for the milk and sometimes we
competing for the milk and sometimes we
competing for the milk and sometimes we would even see the boys sucking directly
would even see the boys sucking directly
would even see the boys sucking directly from the utter of a cow at the quick way
from the utter of a cow at the quick way
from the utter of a cow at the quick way to quench their thirst one morning we
to quench their thirst one morning we
to quench their thirst one morning we came out and saw four boys leap onto the
came out and saw four boys leap onto the
came out and saw four boys leap onto the body of one of the herders all eager to
body of one of the herders all eager to
body of one of the herders all eager to be photographed by our digital cameras
be photographed by our digital cameras
be photographed by our digital cameras and we were amazed when we realized that
and we were amazed when we realized that
and we were amazed when we realized that this seven foot six herder was so easily
this seven foot six herder was so easily
this seven foot six herder was so easily able to bear their way and that his
able to bear their way and that his
able to bear their way and that his sweet Dinka nature tolerated the load
sweet Dinka nature tolerated the load
sweet Dinka nature tolerated the load the children were absolutely fearless of
the children were absolutely fearless of
the children were absolutely fearless of the animals often two or three times
the animals often two or three times
the animals often two or three times their size they’ve grown up with the
their size they’ve grown up with the
their size they’ve grown up with the earth with the animals they would climb
earth with the animals they would climb
earth with the animals they would climb on branches to caress their horns they
on branches to caress their horns they
on branches to caress their horns they would crawl underneath them to rub their
would crawl underneath them to rub their
would crawl underneath them to rub their bellies the boys were in fact named
bellies the boys were in fact named
bellies the boys were in fact named after the Bulls and the girls were named
after the Bulls and the girls were named
after the Bulls and the girls were named after the cows every aspect
after the cows every aspect
after the cows every aspect the animal is valued when a cow lifts
the animal is valued when a cow lifts
the animal is valued when a cow lifts its tail one sees the young girls race
its tail one sees the young girls race
its tail one sees the young girls race out to collect the fresh cow urine which
out to collect the fresh cow urine which
out to collect the fresh cow urine which they used to wash their bodies when
they used to wash their bodies when
they used to wash their bodies when water is scarce or contaminated the data
water is scarce or contaminated the data
water is scarce or contaminated the data would tell us that fresh cow urine was
would tell us that fresh cow urine was
would tell us that fresh cow urine was considered a natural antiseptic we would
considered a natural antiseptic we would
considered a natural antiseptic we would sometimes see the oval facial design of
sometimes see the oval facial design of
sometimes see the oval facial design of a young girl being delineated with cow
a young girl being delineated with cow
a young girl being delineated with cow urine in contrast to the white ash skull
urine in contrast to the white ash skull
urine in contrast to the white ash skull cap design applied to her head the men
cap design applied to her head the men
cap design applied to her head the men would powder their hair with ash and
would powder their hair with ash and
would powder their hair with ash and they would also dye their hair with set
they would also dye their hair with set
they would also dye their hair with set with a number of applications of cow
with a number of applications of cow
with a number of applications of cow urine over a period of months the dicta
urine over a period of months the dicta
urine over a period of months the dicta believe that a reddish golden colored
believe that a reddish golden colored
believe that a reddish golden colored hair is a true sign of beauty and that
hair is a true sign of beauty and that
hair is a true sign of beauty and that if a man leaves his hair black it’s
if a man leaves his hair black it’s
if a man leaves his hair black it’s believed that he’s in a period of
believed that he’s in a period of
believed that he’s in a period of mourning Dinka elders are believed to
mourning Dinka elders are believed to
mourning Dinka elders are believed to hold the wisdom of the clans and are
hold the wisdom of the clans and are
hold the wisdom of the clans and are responsible for handing down the age-old
responsible for handing down the age-old
responsible for handing down the age-old beliefs to the next generation the Dinka
beliefs to the next generation the Dinka
beliefs to the next generation the Dinka say that even though cattle represent
say that even though cattle represent
say that even though cattle represent wealth all men and women are seen as
wealth all men and women are seen as
wealth all men and women are seen as equal to be in chief one must be kind
equal to be in chief one must be kind
equal to be in chief one must be kind and generous gentle and virtuous when it
and generous gentle and virtuous when it
and generous gentle and virtuous when it came time to leave the Dinka cattle
came time to leave the Dinka cattle
came time to leave the Dinka cattle counts behind we realized how incredibly
counts behind we realized how incredibly
counts behind we realized how incredibly privileged we’ve been to experience
privileged we’ve been to experience
privileged we’ve been to experience these traditional lifestyles firsthand
these traditional lifestyles firsthand
these traditional lifestyles firsthand where people actually treat each other
where people actually treat each other
where people actually treat each other as equals they feel at one with
as equals they feel at one with
as equals they feel at one with themselves and in harmony with their
themselves and in harmony with their
themselves and in harmony with their land and animals in the beauty of the
land and animals in the beauty of the
land and animals in the beauty of the cattle camp and in the presence of these
cattle camp and in the presence of these
cattle camp and in the presence of these generous and loving people somehow our
generous and loving people somehow our
generous and loving people somehow our sensors had become opened and our
sensors had become opened and our
sensors had become opened and our awareness heightened it was like being
awareness heightened it was like being
awareness heightened it was like being in a completely different environment we
in a completely different environment we
in a completely different environment we had become so connected with the Dinka
had become so connected with the Dinka
had become so connected with the Dinka that it was really impossible
that it was really impossible
that it was really impossible to leave Angela and I realized that the
to leave Angela and I realized that the
to leave Angela and I realized that the Dinka lived in a fragile utopia faced
Dinka lived in a fragile utopia faced
Dinka lived in a fragile utopia faced with a thirty-year struggle for peace it
with a thirty-year struggle for peace it
with a thirty-year struggle for peace it is our hope that the future of the Dinka
is our hope that the future of the Dinka
is our hope that the future of the Dinka will allow them to sustain their ideals
will allow them to sustain their ideals
will allow them to sustain their ideals of unity and harmony and that these
of unity and harmony and that these
of unity and harmony and that these deep-rooted values will be conveyed to
deep-rooted values will be conveyed to
deep-rooted values will be conveyed to the world at large we hope also that our
the world at large we hope also that our
the world at large we hope also that our book will be part of this process
book will be part of this process
book will be part of this process bringing awareness of these exceptional
bringing awareness of these exceptional
bringing awareness of these exceptional people to the outside world and
people to the outside world and
people to the outside world and supporting them during this
supporting them during this
supporting them during this extraordinary period in their history in
extraordinary period in their history in
extraordinary period in their history in January 2011 of this year the people of
January 2011 of this year the people of
January 2011 of this year the people of Southern Sudan successfully voted to
Southern Sudan successfully voted to
Southern Sudan successfully voted to become an independent nation this was
become an independent nation this was
become an independent nation this was the first important step in their long
the first important step in their long
the first important step in their long sought-after quest for peace we’d like
sought-after quest for peace we’d like
sought-after quest for peace we’d like to thank you all very much for coming
to thank you all very much for coming
to thank you all very much for coming this evening it’s really great to see
this evening it’s really great to see
this evening it’s really great to see you all here and particularly after so
you all here and particularly after so
you all here and particularly after so many years for us it’s also wonderful to
many years for us it’s also wonderful to
many years for us it’s also wonderful to share some of the extraordinary
share some of the extraordinary
share some of the extraordinary experiences we’ve had whilst recording
experiences we’ve had whilst recording
experiences we’ve had whilst recording African ceremonies we realize that
African ceremonies we realize that
African ceremonies we realize that having spent over 30 years in Africa
having spent over 30 years in Africa
having spent over 30 years in Africa what a privilege we have had and how
what a privilege we have had and how
what a privilege we have had and how much we’ve learned from the ancient
much we’ve learned from the ancient
much we’ve learned from the ancient cultures of Africa the benefit of
cultures of Africa the benefit of
cultures of Africa the benefit of knowledge being passed from one
knowledge being passed from one
knowledge being passed from one generation to another the importance of
generation to another the importance of
generation to another the importance of community of growing up in a community
community of growing up in a community
community of growing up in a community and of elders being an active part of
and of elders being an active part of
and of elders being an active part of the community and sharing their wisdom
the community and sharing their wisdom
the community and sharing their wisdom the values of rites of passage which
the values of rites of passage which
the values of rites of passage which helped define and teachers what is
helped define and teachers what is
helped define and teachers what is expected of us at each stage of life and
expected of us at each stage of life and
expected of us at each stage of life and the importance of ceremony that keeps us
the importance of ceremony that keeps us
the importance of ceremony that keeps us in balance with our environment and in
in balance with our environment and in
in balance with our environment and in touch with our own in a world every time
touch with our own in a world every time
touch with our own in a world every time Carol and I come back from Africa
Carol and I come back from Africa
Carol and I come back from Africa we think there are so many of these
we think there are so many of these
we think there are so many of these great values missing from the Western
great values missing from the Western
great values missing from the Western world due to the ever increasing chaos
world due to the ever increasing chaos
world due to the ever increasing chaos and conflict in the world and in the
and conflict in the world and in the
and conflict in the world and in the light of what’s been happening in the
light of what’s been happening in the
light of what’s been happening in the last ten years
last ten years
last ten years we believe that it’s become even more
we believe that it’s become even more
we believe that it’s become even more important to understand the ancient
important to understand the ancient
important to understand the ancient cultures of the world and their
cultures of the world and their
cultures of the world and their humaneness on a worldwide level one of
humaneness on a worldwide level one of
humaneness on a worldwide level one of the great things that we’ve learnt from
the great things that we’ve learnt from
the great things that we’ve learnt from Africa one of the many great things is
Africa one of the many great things is
Africa one of the many great things is that although we appear physically very
that although we appear physically very
that although we appear physically very different either naked or dressed
different either naked or dressed
different either naked or dressed scarified or made up lit plated or
scarified or made up lit plated or
scarified or made up lit plated or veiled we’re actually all the same human
veiled we’re actually all the same human
veiled we’re actually all the same human beings with similar human emotions and
beings with similar human emotions and
beings with similar human emotions and similar human needs understanding each
similar human needs understanding each
similar human needs understanding each other’s cultures celebrating our
other’s cultures celebrating our
other’s cultures celebrating our similarities and celebrating our
similarities and celebrating our
similarities and celebrating our differences is not only essential to the
differences is not only essential to the
differences is not only essential to the evolution of humankind but we believe
evolution of humankind but we believe
evolution of humankind but we believe paramount to the pursuit of world peace
”
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