The Nuer people are a Nilotic ethnic group concentrated in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan. They also live in the Ethiopian region of Gambella. The Nuer speak the Nuer language, which belongs to the Nilotic language family. They are the second-largest ethnic group in South Sudan and the largest ethnic group in Gambella, Ethiopia. The Nuer people are pastoralists who herd cattle for a living. Their cattle serve as companions and define their lifestyle. The Nuer call themselves "Naath".
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👉 Nuer people in the context of Ethnic violence in South Sudan
Ethnic violence in South Sudan has a long history among South Sudan's various ethnic groups. South Sudan has 64 tribes with the largest being the Dinka, who constitute about 35% of the population and predominate in government. The second largest are the Nuers. Conflict is often aggravated among nomadic groups over the issue of cattle and grazing land and is part of the wider Sudanese nomadic conflicts.
In 2010, Dennis Blair, the United States Director of National Intelligence, issued a warning that "over the next five years... a new mass killing or genocide is most likely to occur in southern Sudan." In April 2017, Priti Patel, the Secretary of the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, declared the violence in South Sudan as genocide.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Nuer people
- 👉 Nuer people in the context of Ethnic violence in South Sudan
- Nuer people in the context of Riek Machar
- Nuer people in the context of List of ethnic groups in South Sudan
- Nuer people in the context of Nilotes
- Nuer people in the context of Nuer language
- Nuer people in the context of Sudanese nomadic conflicts
- Nuer people in the context of Gambela Region
Nuer people in the context of Riek Machar
Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon (born 26 November 1952) is a South Sudanese politician who has served as the vice president of South Sudan on several occasions, most recently as the first vice president, since 2020.
A member of the Nuer ethnic group, Machar earned degrees in engineering from Khartoum University and the University of Bradford. In 1984, he joined the Sudanese People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLM/A) rebel group fighting for southern independence during the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Nuer people in the context of List of ethnic groups in South Sudan
South Sudan is populated by about 64 ethnic groups. The Dinka are the largest ethnic group recorded, followed by the Nuer people as the second largest tribe in South Sudan, the Shilluk follows as the third in number. it's disputed that Bari is 4th according to their territory which is Juba county. Zande, also known as Azande, are the fifth largest tribe in South Sudan with a total population of 100,000 followed by Balanda with a population of 80,000.
While composed of many ethnic groups, the Fertit in Lol State have formed a unique identity.
Nuer people in the context of Nilotes
The Nilotic people are people indigenous to South Sudan and the Nile Valley who speak Nilotic languages. They inhabit South Sudan and the Gambela Region of Ethiopia, while also being a large minority in Kenya, Uganda, the northern area of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania. The Nilotic people consist of the Dinka, the Nuer, the Shilluk, the Luo peoples, the Alur, the Anuak, the Ateker peoples, the Kalenjin people and the Karamojong people also known as the Karamojong or Karimojong, Ngasa people, Datooga, Samburu, and the Maa-speaking peoples. Each of the ethnic groups mentioned have distinct languages, ethnic origins, and migration history, so the grouping under the name Nilotic or Nilotes is anthropologically contentious.
The Nilotes constitute the majority of the population in South Sudan while constituting a substantial minority in the countries of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. They make up a notable part of the population of North eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as well. Nilotic people are believed to number 50 million in the 21st century.
Nuer people in the context of Nuer language
The Nuer language (Thok Naath, "people's language") is a Nilotic language of the Western Nilotic group. It is spoken by the Nuer people of South Sudan and in western Ethiopia (region of Gambela). The language is very similar to Dinka and Atuot.
The language is written with a Latin-based alphabet. There are several dialects of Nuer, although all share one written standard. For example, final /k/, is pronounced in the Jikany dialect but is dropped in other dialects despite being indicated in the Nuer orthography used by all.
Nuer people in the context of Sudanese nomadic conflicts
Sudanese nomadic conflicts are non-state conflicts between rival nomadic tribes in Sudan and, since 2011, South Sudan. These conflicts are common and typically arise over scarce resources such as grazing land, cattle, and drinking water. Tribes involved in these clashes include the Messiria, Maalia, Rizeigat and Bani Hussein Arabic tribes inhabiting Darfur and West Kordofan, as well as the Dinka, Nuer and Murle African ethnic groups inhabiting South Sudan. The conflicts have been intensified by broader wars in the region, particularly the Second Sudanese Civil War, the War in Darfur and the Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Over the years, clashes between rival ethnic militias have caused significant casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Notable violent incidents include:
Nuer people in the context of Gambela Region
The Gambela Region, also spelled Gambella, and officially the Gambela Peoples' Region (Amharic: ጋምቤላ ሕዝቦች ክልል), is a regional state in western Ethiopia. Previously known as Region 12, its capital and largest city is Gambela. It is bordered by the Oromia Region to the east, the South West Ethiopia Region to the south, and the country of South Sudan to the west.
Gambela is situated between the Baro and Akobo Rivers, with its western part including the Openo River. It covers an area of approximately 29,783 square kilometers with a population of 525,000 inhabitants, making it one of Ethiopia's smallest regions and one of its least populous. Gambela is home to a diverse population which includes the Anuak, Nuer, and other indigenous groups collectively referred to as the Majang Komo and Opo.