article
Tribal boundaries and border wars: Nuer-Dinka relations in the Sobat and Zaraf Valleys, c. 1860-1976
Journal of African history • 23 • Published In 1982 • Pages: 183-203
By: Johnson, Douglas H. (Douglas Hamilton).
Abstract
Johnson has dug into colonial archives to refute Evans-Pritchard's depiction of Nuer-Dinka relations as hostile. Johnson argues that raiding was selective and intermarriage between Dinka and Nuer created extensive affinal relations that produced accord between groups. During the Nuer expansion across the White Nile in the 19th century, prophets rose to forge new moral communities, which included members from both tribes. Evans-Pritichard carried out his fieldwork around the time of the Nuer Settlements which was a misguided government effort to separate Nuer and Dinka and create culturally homogenous 'traditional' homelands. Also, they tried unsuccessfully to move Dinka and Nuer populations into different provinces. The governments of each province exclusively supported the interests of either the Nuer or Dinka exacerbating the contentious elements of Nuer-Dinka relations.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2002
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Eastern Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2000
- Field Date
- 1975-1991
- Coverage Date
- 1860-1976
- Coverage Place
- southern Sudan
- Notes
- Douglas H. Johnson
- Includes bibliographical references
- LCCN
- 63005723
- LCSH
- Nuer (African people)