The Dinka and the Cow
By Taban Abel Aguek, Yirol, South Sudan
My friend got a new name
Just yesterday.
–
Many years ago,
He was called Jier,
The name his Dinka father gave him.
In school,
He became Moses,
The name a catholic priest gave him.
–
Now,
He is called Makuei-kok
The name is new bull gave him.
–
Now I have a plenty
All of his name options:
Jier, Moses, Makuei-Kok
–
But here is the problem:
When Makuei-Kok marries his next wife
His son shall be called Makuei, after the same bull.
–
When his son Makuei marries;
His son shall be called Majak,
After the pride bull he paid for a dowry.
–
Later, when Majak marries
His son shall be called Makuei,
Just after his grandfather, Makuei Snr.
–
Jier’s great grand child full name shall be:
Makuei Majak Makuei.
A bull successfully deletes names of generations.
–
But then there’s James.
His son is called Joseph.
Joseph’s son, John, full name: John Joseph James
–
What a religion can do,
Even a cow can do
Here in the Dinka land…
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