Central Equatoria

"Bahr Al-Jabal" redirects here. For river, see Mountain Nile.
Central Equatoria State
الاستوائية الوسطى
State

Flag

Location in South Sudan.
Coordinates: 4°47′N 31°24′E / 4.783°N 31.400°E / 4.783; 31.400Coordinates: 4°47′N 31°24′E / 4.783°N 31.400°E / 4.783; 31.400
Country  South Sudan
Region Equatoria
No. of counties: 6
Capital Juba
Government
Area
 • Total 43,033.00 km2 (16,615.13 sq mi)
Population (2008 census)
 • Total 1,103,592
 • Density 26/km2 (66/sq mi)
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)

Central Equatoria State is one of the ten states of South Sudan. With an area of 43,033 km², it is the smallest South Sudanese state. It was formerly named Bahr al Jabal after a tributary of the White Nile that flows through the state. It was renamed Central Equatoria in the first Interim Legislative Assembly on 1 April 2005 under the government of Southern Sudan. Central Equatoria seceded from Sudan as part of the Republic of South Sudan on 9 July 2011.

The state capital of Juba is also the national capital of South Sudan.

Administrative divisions

Central Equatoria, like other states in South Sudan, is sub-divided into counties. These are further divided into Payams, then Bomas. Each county is headed by a County Commissioner, appointed by the State Governor in consultation with the President. They are

Important cities and towns of Central Equatoria are: Juba, Kajo Keji, Liria, Mongilla,Wonduruba, South Sudan Wonduruba, Rokon, Tali, Terkeke, Yei, Ji-Meje, Tombek, Tindilo, Kaya, Muni and Rijong, Bubudo(Nyori). The major border crossing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at Dimo.

Demographics

Major tribes include Bari people, Pojulu, Kakwa, Keliko, Kuku, Lugbara, Avokaya, Baka, Nyangwara, Makaraka and Lulubo. Minor tribes include the Nyepo in Northern Kajok-Keji County and Lokoya along Nimule Road. Erasto Gonda, Senior Folklore Officer for Central Equatoria’s information ministry further details the State's demographics:[1]

In terms of tribes in Central Equatoria we have Mundari, of Terekeka County, the Pojulu of Lowinyet, Wonduruba and Tijor counties combined, and the Bari are the largest. Then we have the Kuku from Kajok Keji County, Nyangwara from Rokon area – then we have the Kakwa, from Yei County and Morobo, then there is the Keliko from Morobo County, the Avokaya, Mundo and Baka from Tore Payam of Yei County. There’s another as well; the Pojulu-Tijor who are near Tali.

So, these tribes are the eight tribes who speak one language with slight differences, Kutuk, although they all have different traditional dances. Mundari language for example has its own notion tone different from Bari but they also speak Bari at the same time because some of the border the Bari to the north of Juba, although there are differences in some of the words. Some of the tribes like Avokaya of Yei County, Lugbara and Keliko of Morobo speak one language with slight differences except Mundo and Baka which speak different languages. But they all also have their special languages, called their ‘Kobura’ which the others don’t understand. It is a hidden language, they speak it during danger.

They are all from one family but got separated because of land, the land was not enough. They were at first were pastoralists, and then diverged as pastoralists and agriculturalists.

Then there is also the Direr or Nubi, these people are a collection of tribes and their religion is Islam. They settled together in two main places, Malakia in Juba and Bombo which is near Kampala in Uganda. They are united by their religion, which came to them in the 1940s. They now consider themselves to be a new tribe.

The agriculturalists out of these are the Kuku, the Kakwa, Avokaya, Mundo, Pojulu, Lokoya, Lulubo, Nyangwara, Keliko, Nyepo. They grow a variety of crops, including maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, 'bolot or sorghum, groundnuts, beans. These tribes have two crops to harvest every year, the first in June or July and the second in November or December. They also keep cattle, goats and sheep

Music

Due to the many years of the civil war, the culture is heavily influenced by the countries neighboring South Sudan. Many South Sudanese fled to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda where they interacted with the nationals and learnt their languages and culture. For most of those who remained in the country, or went North to Sudan and Egypt, they greatly assimilated the Arab culture.

It is also worth noting that most South Sudanese kept the core of their culture even while in exile and diaspora. Traditional culture is highly upheld and a great focus is given to knowing one's origin and dialect. Although the common languages spoken are Arabi Juba and English, Kiswahili is being introduced to the population to improve the country's relations with its East African neighbors. Many musicians from Central Equatoria use English, Kiswahili, Arabi Juba, their dialect or a mixture of the languages mentioned.

Popular artists from Central Equatoria are like Reflections BYG, a beautiful fresh voice rocking the Zouk floor with her first single Ng'ume which means Smile received high hits in the first few days of its release. She has an amazing strong voice for the popular Jazz as well as Afrobeat and Hip Hop; De-vine Is a new songstress from the same county of Kajo Keji singing R&B and Zouk. Although the women are underrepresented, these two talents are putting the state back on the charts. Emmanuel Lasu is one of the popular male talent that central Equatoria has produced.

Government

Executive

The President of South Sudan appoints the Governor, State Ministers, Advisors. President Salva Kiir Mayardit reshuffled[3] the State Government in October 2008. Relieved were:

Legislature

Present First Elected Members Of Parliament In the State Legislative assembly for Central Equatoria are:

  1. Hon Naptali Hassen Gale From Morobo County, speaker.(SPLM)
  2. Hon Haustin yokwe Juba County,Deputy speaker,.(SPLM)
  3. Hon. Robert Lomude Lainya County,Controller of the House..(SPLM)
  4. Hon. Modi Lomindi Ajuangich Chimbo Terekeka County. chairperson committee for security&Public order..(SPLM)
  5. Hon. Silvanous Bata batali Kajokeji County. Chairperson for committee for Services etc..(SPLM)
  6. Hon. James Juma Peter Morobo County Chairperson Committee for Public Account.(SPLM)
  7. Hon.Joy Keji Rafael Lainya County Chairperson Committee for Gender.(SPLM)
  8. Hon. Emanuel Adil Wani Yei River County Chairperson Committee for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.(SPLM)
  9. Hon. Jenifer Yobu Yei River County, Chairperson committee for Local Government and Legal Affairs..(SPLM)
  10. Hon. Fr. Prudensio Loku Vitale, Juba County, Chairperson Committee for Land and Natural Resources..(SPLM)
  11. Hon. Joyce Kiedn Kajokeji County Chairperson for Peace Human Rights, and Humanitarian Affairs..(SPLM)
  12. Hon Nadia James Terekeka County, Chairperson committee for Members Affairs..(SPLM)
  13. Hon Mary Elias Ladu, Juba County, Chairperson committee for Information, Youth and Sport..(SPLM)

Judiciary Eminent personalities in Central Equatoria State history: Agrey Jaden,founder, first University graduate in South Sudan (1958), first president of South Sudan Liberation movement (1962), Eliaba James Suru, Hillary Paul Logale, Loila Lwoki, Vinason Loro, Peter Cirilo, Michael Loruwe, Daniel Jummi, Luka Monoja Tombekana, Samson Kwaje Lukare, Lokulenge Lole Loila, Clement Wani Konga, Mogga Thomas Cirilo, James Wani Igga, Jada Agustino, James Janka Duku, Scopas Kenyi Loboro, Lemi Logwonga Lomuro, Roberto Michael, Soro Michael Yokwe, Wani John Bero, Nyambur Nyombe, Lubari Moses, Lumori Agustino, Moses Arapa Lo-Gune, Kenyi Marin Simasona, Gwuido Mori, Jada James Wani, Sumuni Jada Lo-Denya, Laku Jolong, Ramba Abass and Lumori Hitlar.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Interview with Erasto Gonda Tribes Of Central Equatoria
  2. ↑ "Central Equatoria State". Gurtong Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. ↑ Salva Kiir reshuffles Central Equatoria government
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