Fables of the Dinka community – The Legend of Akol Kuol
By Jongkuch Jo Jongkuch, Bor, South Sudan
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 (PW) —Akol Kuol is a prominent figure in the history of Gol Community of Bor, Jonglei state. Akol Kuol is traced to Kuol Angok Nai’s section in Gol clan. Gol is a separate clan in Kolnyang that continues to produce prominent leaders like Hon. Ayom Mach, Hon. Majier Manguak Dut, Late Doctor Akol Bol, and many others. Currently, Gol’s descendant lives in Goi and Mading Bor (Madding people of Ngeth Angok Nai) respectively.
Goi is locally branded as ‘Kurnhom’ and located along the known river Nile and Bor-Juba road. The name Kurnhom is symbolic though you may not see any mountain there when you pay visit to Goi. The far deserted places of Gol people include Yaradau, some miles away from Kolnyang Centre. Gol clan falls within Juorhol community.
Gol clan produced many successful daughters like Adol Bior, a wife of Chol Kuot Anuet. Adol Bior took over the clan of Adol that is supposed to be known for Chol Kuot (Adol’s husband) or Kuot Anuet (Adol’s father in-law).What does that mean?? Only in Kolnyang where we consider gender equality and Adol Bior is an example.
Back to the story, Akol Kuol remained in the history of pan Bor as prominent figure. The notable phrase of which Akol Kuol is mentioned is…”Aluel ee liel ca Akol Kuol.” It seems like negative connotation to Akol Akuol and Gol community in general, but it has a positive contribution to the history of Gol.
His name is still on our tongues now because of what he attempted, though he was never appreciated. Akol Kuol is my maternal uncle and I can talk about him with no fear. I am proud of him in his grave. Akoldit tried to invent a new colour of a cow, and his discovery was rejected. We are still contemplating now of what he wanted to tell us though he is gone.
To explicitly explain, Dinka people have common names, and most are colours of cows like Mamuor, Mayen, Ayen, Yar, Amuor, Marial, Majok, Mabior, Mabil etc. Who first generated these colours??? Who came up with the name Yar for white cow?? Why Majok, Marial, Malith, and so on?? I guess none of us knows the origin of these colours. Those were the historical names or colours that Akol Kuol probably wanted to question.
However, Akol Kuol wanted to add a different colour to the existing colours. One day, a cow delivered and the colour was known. Akoldit sent for the people across cattle camp, and posting a question …”If it was not born as Mayen, Majok and so forth, what would have been the colour??” Or “Ku ken dhieth ke yee Machar, Majok, Ayen, Amuor ee di yee cäär ng’o??” Uncle Akol Kuol asked.
Most people get puzzled with the question and refused to bring answers. The question might have been tough and audience did not want to waste time. They answered him with insults that “Yee ng’o jel yin e liel lueel wulë”….that means he communicated nothing to the congregation, according to them. On the other hand, Uncle Akol Kuol had a reason of asking the question.
He was after getting responses, and come up with the newly
discovered or proposed colour by him to the born calf, so that it is added on the existing
colours. The people who feared
taking the bull by its horn, did not attempt, and instead voluntarily presented insults.
With impatient of his audience, he was mocked and abused.
None of the people approached Akol
Kuol afterwards to find out his intended message.
Instead, he was termed as a person who communicated nothing,
and the mockery slogan to uncle
Akoldit remained with us today across Bor communities. His abusive slogan is now on our lips day and night as
“ran ce liel lueel.”
In conclusion, the level of impatience and rush to hear what
we want caused us to lose vital
information. How many people currently can react like Akol Kuol’s audience in our lives? Alot….
there are many people who do not give themselves time to give
a thought, digest and internalize
the received information from any source.
It is advisable that we give ourselves time to get appropriate responses and judge accordingly.
We currently have many Akol Kuol-like people in our
communities, whom people do not
want to hear from them. As the likes of Akol Kuol are trying to bring new social changes in our societies,
they are neglected and mocked.
They are falsely mocked, accused and branded with dirty
names, because of striving to put
things right. Therefore, Akol Kuol-likes people (who love positive changes) will continue to bring on
the crucial matters on the table
regardless of the rejections and humiliations.
Provide any suitable names, clauses, phrases and sentences to
the new ideas’ generators, and we
are all making history, and the world will judge us in return. The success of the society, is
rooted in inclusiveness of ideas
regardless of age, gender, qualifications.
Stay humble and never overlook others. We all possess
different thinking capacities and
move with different speeds towards making it in life. Akol Kuol was negatively depicted and he
remained a discoverer according to
me. Only that his discovery was not given chance.
Be patient to judge!! Rush Not!! Listen More and Speak Less!!
You can reach the author via his email: Jongkuch Jo Jongkuch <jongkuchj@gmail.com>
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