Thursday, August 2, 2007

Family and welcoming activities.

Young ladies dining during the welcome ceremony organized by my dad. Courtesy of my uncle Bol Ngor Dut who brought the bull for the purpose.
The pic above show my dad sitting with his colleagues from Western Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly.

Here, I am dining with the mix of older and younger people. These are people I use to know both in Sudan before I left and those I knew in Ethiopia and Kenya. For those who were in Kenya, in the red T-Shirt is Mayuen Makuach, famously known as Mayuen Turkana!
Women busy preparing meals for the occassion

Same thing happening

Pictures from impromptu dance organized by my dad: In the middle is my maternal uncle Mr. Lual Mabong dancing with my step-mother. In the dark Sudanese suit from right is my father with relatives providing a rhythm with sticks to the dancers.
Here Ater Ngong is dancing with Ayak Chan Majok.
This is the bull that was slaughtered for my welcome party. Traditionally, the meat would have not been cooked at our house. It would have been shared among my clan members. This could not happen, because there are many people who are not related to us in Wau. For example my dad's colleagues.

My dad and to the right is my uncle Bol Ngor Dut.
In this picture is the senior spear master, Mr. Yel Machar, also known as Majong Akur.

People who came to meet me as soon as I arrived

Cheif Manok Thony Yel.

Chronology of my trip to Sudan

First day in Wau. This picture shows my arrival home. There are many people, not shown in this picture who were anxious to greet me and they were prevented by the spear master, a diviner who wanted to perform ceremonial Dinka blessings before I touch anyone. Standing Beside me is my step mother Agol Akol Ngor. Standing opposite from her is my dad who is emotionally moved. He wants the spear master to speed up the blessing to give him a chance to greet me. From his appearance, you can judge that he is in disbelief. He can't believe that standing beside him is the son he had not seen for the last twenty-two years.