We were supposed to explain whether the anarchy of a southern Sudanese tribe - the Nuer - made for a successful society. However, the only text we had was a study from the 1930's. My classmates were quite impressed with the Nuer's methods. Needless to say, I had to enlighten them about the horrific war in Sudan.

Nuer – a recap up to present day

I know this post is long overdue, but I was actually working with Nuer people in southern Sudan in the interim [or close, I was in Loki!]. I wanted to give you a brief idea of what this anarchic society turned into…

While I do agree with most of the posts in that anarchy is distinct from chaos, I wanted to challenge some of the utopian perspectives about the anarchic Nuer society.

Firstly, Evans-Pritchard’s account was researched in the 1930s. Though the study imparts significance to our studies of pre-colonial, or in this case, tribal Africa, he has rather left the story unfinished. Southern Sudan (consisting primarily of Nuer and Dinka tribes) has been engaged in a brutal civil war against the Arabic north (Government of Sudan, which is based in Khartoum) continuously since 1983. And in fact, the war has been ongoing even previous to that, but different peace treaties were in effect in different periods.

Evans-Pritchard alludes to the aggressive nature of the Nuer, saying that they are “easily roused to violence” (294), and that “Whenever the Nuer have direct relations with these peoples [such as Arabs], they are hostile in character” (281). His description of inter-tribal feuds, in which disputes involving larger groups “may never be settled” (283), points to the assumption that this anarchic society, lacking in judiciary structures, may be unable to overcome differences with foreigners of any description. As he states, “the Nuer have no law. There is no one with legislative or judicial function” (293).

My question is this: does an anarchic society eventually break down into chaos? In the example of the Nuer, I am arguing yes – for their inability to diplomatically deal with hostile outsiders has created a devastatingly chaotic society in present day. There are no roads, no clean drinking water, no structures, no crops, no trade, no clothes, and precious little education. Children are raised with a gun in one hand looking at the sky to bring them food – the Word Food Programme food relief air drops. People use water filters provided by NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to drink from dirty streams, hoping to protect them from worms and parasites. They are still pastoralist, and move between dry and wet season camps. But their cattle were destroyed over and over by Rinderpest – and in fact southern Sudan is the last place in the world where this disease breaks out.

Granted, if the Nuer were left in relative isolation, their anarchic society may have endured indefinitely. And of course, the causes of the civil war were by no means one-sided – the Khartoum government considers the black south to be worse than slaves, worse than animals, when compared with their Arabic supremacy. But the societal structures needed to deal with external tensions – such as government, judicial systems, and diplomatic agencies – were missing and therefore the society failed to deal with the external turbulence. Instead, the societal structure that arose was the SPLM – Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement, and its tool, the SPLA (Army) – and now this anarchy has become a total military state. Children stand naked with distended bellies and a gun in their hand – for everyone is a soldier, and the military is most likely to offer food (from the relief programmes).

I will not make the assumption that every anarchic state will slide into this chaos, but the Nuer case makes a convincing argument that an anarchy is unequipped to deal with excessive external hostility.

(btw I have captured video footage of southern Sudan, and if I can manage to get it onto CD, I will make it available for viewing through SMU)

Johanna

 

And I really liked this response :)

Message no. 373[Branch from no. 344]
Posted by Jill M Campbell on Sunday, November 16, 2003 11:31pm
Subject: Re: Nuer – a recap up to present day

Johanna--

I just want to tell you that I always look forward to your postings.  Your first-hand
insights are always knowledgeable and well-presented.  This update on Nuer society 
really puts into context what we have learned.  Linking the past with the present is the 
most important part of what we learn, I believe, so thanks.

-Jill

 

 

Copyright Johanna Voerman Khisa, 2002-03. Reprinting or reposting without permission is prohibited.