Pojulu people: Difference between revisions

Pojulu
	Chief Yospata Jojon of Mankaro Boma, Wonduruba Payam
Regions with significant populations
	Sudan
Languages
	Bari
Religion
	Christianity, Traditional
Related ethnic groups
	Nilotic peoples

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Revision as of 08:20, 22 August 2010

The Pojulu ethnic groups in the South Sudan occupy the Savanna lands of the Nile Valley on the west of Bari. Their neighbouring tribes are Bari to the east, Nyangwara, Moro to the north Kakwa to the south, west Mundu and Avukaya to the northwest. They speak a language which is also called Bari, but with some thick rhyme in pronunciation which sometimes shows the difference between the Pojulu among the other Bari Speakers. Most of the Pojulu population is located at Lainya county. But the Pojulu are common in Central Equatoria they are also found in other counties of Juba and Yei.

Living house for the pojulu people in Southern Sudan

The name Bari of the Nile Valley would be fitting because the river Nile runs through the heart of the Bari land. This definition would also distinguish them from any other ethnic groups that may be using the name Bari; there are apparently such groups in Ethiopia and Somalia, although no information exist as to whether they are all anthropologically related. They are Pojulu are found in Yei and Juba counties in central Equatoria, the pojulu language and customs relates to the kakwa in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Pojulu differentiate into smaller clans of Nyori, Morsak, Goduck, Lobora, Mulusuk, Pirisa, Malari, Mankaro and a few other smaller ones. The population of the Pojulu is estimated to be 950,000 persons (exaggreted).

Environment, Economy and Natural Resources

Loka teaks largest plantation in Sudan and Africa in particular

The name Pojulu is derived from several sources and many people describe Pojulu in many ways. First of all, if we want to know who are the Pojulu. The Pojulu can be differentiated in the way all Bari speakers pronounce words, the way all other Bari speakers say their greetings and the way each group socialise, to wonduruba,along the road to Juba up to Lainya and from Lainya to Bereka and Wonduruba. Pojulu people also occupy the area from Lainya to Kagwada, Kopera, Jamara and Mukaya. One can tell who Pojulu are. They are decent people, friendly,very brave, hospitabale, supportive, honest people, knowledgeable and talented human beings on earth. They are people who welcome any stranger. The language is so plain, clear and direct. Therefore, it is crucial for a useful information such as this to carry facts rather than assumptions in order not to misinform the future generation about Pojulu people, there is more about Pojulu as a tribe and Pojulu as people with their transparrent culture of love and generosity.

The environment in central Equatoria is typically tropical but the weather regime is fast changing; becoming arid with less rain and long dry spells. The pojulu economy is predominantly agrarian. The largest teak plantation in Africa inside Loka , the planted forest reserves within the pojulu are Kawale, Lijo, Loka West and Nuni. The majority of Pojulu people are peasants practicing mixed farming: subsistence agriculture in which the main crops are cassava, sorghum, maize, simsim, groundnut, wheat, sweet potatoes, cabbages, beans, onions, tomatoes etc. The pojulu keep goats, sheep, few pigs, chicken, ducks and cattle in some suitable areas due to the prevalence of tsetse fly which rendered cattle herding very difficult.

Mythology and History

There is little knowledge about the origin of the pojulu as a people and their relation to the Bari and other Bari-speaking ethnic communities.

Language

The Pojulu speak Bari language with some distinct variations linked to people’s daily activities and traditions that have evolved over time from these experiences.

Society, Social Events, Attitudes, Customs, and Traditions

pojulu is the name by which this Bari-speaking ethnic community is known. Pojulu society ascribe to certain norms and values. Like other communities, pojulu is a male dominated society. The eldest male member of the family is entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the rest unless he demonstrates incompetence and irresponsibility.

In most Pojulu areas, not only the eldest male member is charged with the entire responsibilities of the family or clan but elder daughters are also considered responsible for wel-being of the older peole e.g. parents and grandparents. This is one of the reasons that led Pojulu women taking the role of being good carers. The Pojulu of today is different from the Pojulu of 50 years ago. When I travelled from Yei to Lainya in 2007, I met a Pojulu business woman who was transporting her goods she bout from Arua in Uganda. In Lainya, I saw many Women in the market doing a business of buying and sellin. This, in fact, tells us that Pojulu women are same as Pojulu men, both can create a change and make life different. For these reasons, I argued previously that Pojulu are not only the two small groups mentioned in the beginning of this article.

Marriage

Marriage begins with courtship and once the prospective bride and groom have decided to transform their friendship into a marriage relationship the matter is reported to both families for endorsement. pojulu dowry is in the form of goats, cattle and cash. This is accompanied by celebrations and merriment. It is worth mentioning that pojulu dowry is not settled at a go - even if there were prospects for that. The explanation is to maintain links and relationship between the two families, and during the marriage event there is a whole celebration for the whole relatives which includes dancing, drinking, singing and conversations.

Death

Death when it occurs even in a natural circumstance of disease, old age, etc. is usually attributed to some mishaps and must have been instigated. The members of the family have their heads shaved throughout the mourning period.

Social and Political Organisation, Traditional Authority

The pojulu chief plays the role of a political leader with judicial powers. It is hereditary usually falling to the eldest son of the departed chief. The pojulu chief is always assisted by a council of elders, who come from different clans or families. The criterion of choosing these people is wisdom, bravery, and experience in matters pertaining to the tribe.

Spirituality, Beliefs and Customs

The Pojulu, like other Bari speaking people, believe in a Supreme Being (ŋun) who is the creator. They also believe in the existence of spirits of the departed ancestors. Many of these beliefs are now fading under the influence of modernity and Christianity. Choir in Pojulu

Culture: Arts, Music, Literature and Handicraft

Pojulu people gather together on art, music etc.

Like other communities, the pojulu have evolved an oral culture expressed in songs, poems, dance, music, folklore, magic. Neighbours and Foreign Relations The Pojulu neighbour: Nyangwara and Moro to the north Bari to the east Kakwa to the south and west Mundu and Avukaya to the northwest. In the past, the Pojulu forged a rare alliance with Moro, Mundu against the marauding Azande armies. This cut off the main Azande force and led to the formation of the Makaraka.

Latest Developments

The just concluded long running war caused drastic changes in the lives of the Pojulu. Many were displaced and this eroded their social and family fabric. A separate administrative unit was established separating the Pojulu from the Kakwa and others in Yei River District.

Notable Pojulu people

Diaspora

Pojulu have been displaced and many live as refugees in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in many African countries like South Africa, Egypt etc., others live in displaced people’s camps in Juba, Sudan, Khartoum and other towns. Some are now living in USA, UK, Israel, Europ, New Zealand and Australia

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 pojulu is the name by which this Bari-speaking ethnic community is known. Pojulu society ascribe to certain norms and values. Like other communities, pojulu is a male dominated society. The eldest male member of the family is entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the rest unless he demonstrates incompetence and irresponsibility.
-[[Image:People in Lainya County.jpg|thumb|Pojulu from Lainya line up across the road to receive the SPLM delegation from Juba Southern Sudan 2009]]
+[[Image:Peopel_in_Lainya_County.jpg|thumb|Pojulu from Lainya line up across the road to receive the SPLM delegation from Juba Southern Sudan 2009]]
 In most Pojulu areas, not only the eldest male member is charged with the entire responsibilities of the family or clan but elder daughters are also considered responsible for wel-being of the older peole e.g. parents and grandparents. This is one of the reasons that led Pojulu women taking the role of being good carers. The Pojulu of today is different from the Pojulu of 50 years ago. When I travelled from Yei to Lainya in 2007, I met a Pojulu business woman who was transporting her goods she bout from Arua in Uganda. In Lainya, I saw many Women in the market doing a business of buying and sellin. This, in fact, tells us that Pojulu women are same as Pojulu men, both can create a change and make life different. For these reasons, I argued previously that Pojulu are not only the two small groups mentioned in the beginning of this article.