Origins and history Nilotic peoples

1 origins , history

1.1 nilotic expansion out of sudd
1.2 shilluk
1.3 azande

origins , history

politician john garang (dinka) amongst nilotic supporters in south sudan.

a proto-nilotic unity, separate earlier undifferentiated eastern sudanic unity, assumed have emerged 3rd millennium bc. development of proto-nilotes group may have been connected domestication of livestock. eastern sudanic unity must have been considerably earlier still, perhaps around 5th millennium bc (while proposed nilo-saharan unity date upper paleolithic 15kya). original locus of nilotic speakers presumably east of nile in south sudan. proto-nilotes of 3rd millennium bc pastoralists, while neighbors, proto-central sudanic peoples, agriculturalists.

nilotic expansion out of sudd

areas nilotic languages spoken.

linguistic evidence shows on time nilotic speakers, such dinka, shilluk, , luo, took over. these groups spread sudd marshlands, archaeological evidence shows culture based on transhumant cattle raising had been present since 3000 bce, , nilotic culture in area may continuous date.

the nilotic expansion sudd marshes rest of south sudan seems have begun in 14th century. coincides collapse of christian nubian kingdoms of makuria , alodia , penetration of arab traders central sudan. arabs south sudanese may have obtained new breeds of hump-less cattle. archaeologist roland oliver notes period shows iron age beginning among nilotics. these factors may explain how nilotic speakers expanded dominate region.

shilluk

the kingdoms of funj, shilluk, tegali, , fur c.1800

by sixteenth century powerful group among nilotic speakers shilluk, spread east banks of white nile under legendary leadership of nyikang, said have ruled shilluk c.1490 c.1517. shilluk gained control of west bank of river far north kosti in sudan. there established economy based on cattle raising, cereal farming, , fishing, small villages located along length of river. shilluk developed intensive system of agriculture, , shilluk lands in 17th century had population density similar of egyptian nile lands.

one theory pressure shilluk drove funj people north, establish sultanate of sennar. dinka remained in sudd area, maintaining transhumance economy.

while dinka protected , isolated neighbours, shilluk more involved in international affairs. shilluk controlled west bank of white nile, other side controlled funj sultanate, , there regular conflict between two. shilluk had ability raid outside areas war canoe, , had control of waters of nile. funj had standing army of armoured cavalry, , force allowed them dominated plains of sahel.

shilluk traditions tell of king odak ocollo ruled c. 1630 , led them in 3 decade war sennar on control of white nile trade routes. shilluk allied sultanate of darfur , kingdom of takali against funj, capitulation of takali ended war in funj s favour. in later 17th century shilluk , funj allied against jieng, group of dinka rose power in border area between funj , shilluk. shilluk political structure gradually centralized under king or reth. important reth tugo ruled c. 1690 1710 , established shilluk capital of fashoda. same period saw gradual collapse of funj sultanate, leaving shilluk in complete control of white nile , trade routes. shilluk military power based on control of river.

azande

the non-nilotic azande people, entered southern sudan in 16th century, established region s largest state. azande third largest nationality in southern sudan. found in maridi,iba, yambio, nzara,ezon, tambura , nagere counties in tropical rain forest belt of western equatoria , bahr el ghazal. in 18th century, avungara people entered , imposed authority on azande. avungara power remained largely unchallenged until arrival of british @ end of 19th century.

geographical barriers protected southerners islam s advance, enabling them retain social , cultural heritage , political , religious institutions. dinka people secure in sudd marshlands, protected them outside interference, , allowed them remain secure without large armed forces. shilluk, azande, , bari people had more regular conflicts neighbouring states