Baliet County
| Baliet | |
|---|---|
| County | |
| Country | South Sudan |
| State | Upper Nile |
Baliet is an administrative county in the Upper Nile state, South Sudan. The County Headquarter is Baliet town, located on north of Sobat River bank and 20 km south east of Malakal, the Capital city of Upper Nile State.[1]
Baliet County, like other counties in Upper Nile state, was formed in 2006. Baliet County was a part and parcel of a previously larger "Sobat County," which also included other simultaneously formed counties of Longechuk, Maban, Malakal, Maiwut, Nasir, and Ulang. In the pre-Comprehensive Peace Agreement period, the counties were only considered districts within Sobat County. The "Apadang" subtribe of Ngok Lual Yak make up the majority of population of Baliet County. Ngok Lual Yak is made up of 11 clans of; Ajuba, Awieer (Awiɛɛr), Adong (Adɔ̈ŋ), Achaak (Acaak), Abii, Baliët, Balak, Duut, Ding (Dïng), Ngaar (Ŋäär) and Dhiaak. These clans are also divided into two major sections; Weny and Yom. The Ngok Lual Yak tribe reside along both sides of Sobat River from Ulang (Wunlaŋ) County to Malakal city. People of Ngok Lual Yak tribe pride themselves in their enduring dinka (Jieng) culture and bravery. Central to Ngok Lual Yak spiritual existence was/is "Dengdit" deity. Before the introduction of Christianity in the County, Dengdit, as a Ngok's tribal spiritual deity, was both a symbol of unity among the 11 sections of Ngok tribe and a source of spiritual consolation both in time of calamities and peace. The introduction of Christianity led to the disappearance of "Dengdit" as a spiritual deity for quiet a period of time. However, after several years of spiritual monopoly of Christianity, "Dengdit" was re-manifested in a lady named Awut Ajal from Adong clan. At first, when she was manifested by the spirit of Dengdit, her family thought she was mentally sick and could not do or take anything she said seriously. According to Ngok elders who were around at the time, recounted that she heard the a sound commanding her, "Awut, go back to "Pan Deng!" Upon hearing the command, She obeyed, and went to Pan Deng (home housing the shrine of Dengdit). According to tribal elders, she did obey and went only to find out that the spirit apparently led her right to the exact location, where the spiritual Shrine of Dengdit was originally located. As famously known among Ngok spiritual historians and elders, She was possessed and did not initially know where was going; the spirit led her there. "She stayed at the Shrine for a while, and when she wanted to leave, she was again commanded by the spirit" to remain at the Shrine as the spirit have chosen her as the new human medium through which the deity wanted to communicate with his followers. The reappearance of Dendit through Awut Ajal was greatly celebrated by the tribal spiritual followers. The Dengdit-possessed woman was welcome with jubilation, traditional dance and spiritual chants and offering by the people in town of Wunriang. This then, initiated the re-establishment of spiritual house and shrine of Dengdit, also locally known as "Luang Dengdiit" in Wunriang till today.
South Sudan Referendum:
In a recent Southern Sudan referendum, Baliet County made a historic milestone with all of its registered population voting 100% for Separation of the Southern Sudan.
Government
The first Commissioner of Baliet County was Mr Kon Deng Michar, Mr Thon Agook, Mr Juac Deng Abur, but After peace agreement the first commissioner of Baliet was Moses Dhieu Kiir followed by Moses Thon Bol Anyaang. Joseph Maker Diing, Engineer Cok Mareng, followed by Mr. James Tor Monybuny a Pastor of Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS). James Tor is also head of CHORM (Full name missing for CHORM). Current Commissioner Mr Thon Deng Malang.
written by Monyroor Kuany and Edited by John Maluth
Ngok history
References
- ↑ "Referendum results: Upper Nile". Southern Sudan Referendum 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
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