SUMMARY

The Nuer is a semi-pastoralist people located in Southern Sudan (South Sudan after its independence in 2011) and in western Ethiopia. Termed “Nuer” by neighbouring groups, they speak of themselves as Naath," or "human beings." The Nuers’ main economic activity is cattle-raising, but they also grow millet and catch fish. Their lifestyles are semi-nomadic, where they live in villages during the rainy season, but live along the rivers during the dry season.

Numbering approximately 150 000, the group is one of the largest in eastern Africa. Due to fighting with the Dinka and to population pressures, the Nuers have migrated eastwards over the past two centuries. During the early 19th century the group began migrating out of their original homeland on the west bank of the White Nile and by the end of that century they had reached present day Ethiopia, entering Anuak territory. In the course of the migration, the group tripled their territory.

The civil war in Southern Sudan fought between the Islamic Khartoum regime and the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) 1983-2004, had a devastating impact on the Nuer traditional way of life. During the first years of the conflict the Nuer and the Dinka made up the bulk of the guerrilla force, but in 1991 the movement split along ethnic lines, pitting the Dinka and the Nuer against each other. The south-on-south violence continued through the remains of the civil war, with the Khartoum government fannning the flames. Many Nuer were displaced either to northern Sudan or to neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia.

The Nuer have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.