SUMMARY

The Dinka is the largest ethnic group in South Sudan and the largest non-Arabic ethnic group in Sudan. They are mainly cattle pastoralists, but to some extent also rely on farming, in accordance with the different seasons of the year. The Dinka live on either side of the White Nile and across Bahr al-Ghazal and traditional Dinka culture follows the flooding and receding of the Nile waters. The over-arching Dinka group is divided into different sub-divisions, which are split further into smaller sub-groups. Even though the sub-divisions and sub-groups occasionally fight each other, mainly related to cattle-raiding, they most often unite if they come into conflict with an outside enemy.

Jalwau Dinka (or Jal-Woh Dinka) is a sub-group of the larger Rek Dinka, which is one of many divisions within the overarching Dinka ethnic group. The Rek Dinka mainly inhibits the Warap State in South Sudan. They are a mainly agro-pastoralists group. Yet, their territory has historically not been as agriculturally fertile as that of other Dinka sub-groups. Thus, the Rek Dinka have had to geographically expand more quickly compared to other Dinka groups in order to both feed themselves and graze their cattle.

The Rek Dinka (like many other divisions) is highly complex. It is comprised of three main sections, which are further divided into nine subdivisions that encompasses a large number of smaller clan groups. Due to this complexity, it is difficult to locate the Jalwau Dinka within this larger formation. The Jalwau Dinka mainly occupies the Tonj East and Tonj South counties of Warap State in South Sudan.

The Dinka are the largest non-Arab ethnic group in Sudan and the Dinka language is the first language for about one tenth of the Sudanese population. In southern Sudan (South Sudan after its independence in 2011) the Dinka is the largest ethnic group. They are mainly cattle pastoralists who live on either side of the White Nile and across Bahr al-Ghazal. Traditional Dinka culture follows the flooding and receding of the Nile waters.

The Gok subgroup of the Dinka is one of the many subgroups of the Dinka people, mainly inhabiting the western part of the Cueibet and Rumbek North districts of Lakes state in South Sudan. Organized on traditional clan- and subclan- bases, the Gok Dinka are mainly semi-itinerant pastoralists, depending on their cattle stocks for their livelihood.

Traditionally, while the Gok Dinka were never as prosperous as other Dinka subgroups, they were at relative peace with other co-inhabiting tribes – intermarriages between Gok Dinkas and Agar Dinkas or Jur Chol people being described as frequent. A series of droughts combined with the conflict in South Sudan, raging for over 20 years and devastating the infrastructure in the area, however, led the Gok Dinkas to turn to arms.

The Gok Dinka have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organized violence.