Modern Education that Erases Dinka Cultural Identity is not Education, but Alien Indoctrination

Education, Modernization, and Civilization that Erase Cultural Identity is not Education at all— it’s Foreign Indoctrination.

By Emmanuel Malou Deng, New York, USA

Friday, 14 June 2024 (PW) — For the last 20 hours, the declaration of the winner in the marriage competition for Athiak Dau Riak-Magany has been trending online. Athiak is a young girl from Nook section of Pakeer, Twic Dinka community, Jonglei State. With her tall and slender build, and with her humble heart, she enchants those around her. Indeed, her presence is gentle yet striking. This represents the strength and elegance that define her, it has been said. The two gentlemen, Chol Marol Deng Atem from Awulian, Twic Dinka community, and Marial Garang Jiel from Koch, Bor Dinka community, have been competing for Athiak Dau Riak-Magany’s hand for the last month. Both are well-educated— Chol is a Canadian-educated engineer, while the latter is Australian-educated marine.

Today, Chol Marol from Awulian community was declared the winner, with rumors indicating that Athiak chose him because he has no other wife, unlike Marial Garang, who already has a wife. Supporters of Marial aren’t convinced as they believe that politics was involved in the decision because Athiak and Chol both come from Twi East. Indeed, Marial’s marital status has likely made his proposal a bit too crowded for Athiak’s liking! It’s been quite the matrimonial showdown, and now the South Sudanese online world is buzzing. Some say Chol won fair and square, while others believe Marial’s bonus wife cost him the prize. Either way, we can only see in the water that Athiak wasn’t looking for a two-for-one deal!

The second controversial topic about this marriage is the marriage tradition itself, the tradition of paying a hefty dowry and competing for a girl in marriage. Critics of the Dinka marriage tradition, particularly from different cultures within South Sudan, as well as some Dinka-born activists who have lost touch with their culture or whose families do not own cows, argue against this practice. They include those who didn’t have the privilege of such marriages or those who see no chance of being involved in such a tradition.

Dear all: On behalf of Paan Riak-Magaany and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate Chol Marol Deng Atem and Wut Awulian for winning the heart and mind of Athiak Dau Riak-Magany to choose him as her husband. I would also like to congratulate and thank Marial Garang Jiel for putting up a fierce competition to win Athiak’s heart. Besides, I extend my sincere appreciations to all our families and friends for putting up with all bullies, propaganda and lies during this marriage. Now, that this exercise of Acceptance (Agam) has come to conclusion, the real marriage processes are starting to take shape and it’s up to Wut Awulian to honour all the pledges it has exhibited. May God bless you all.

By Dengdit Chol Riak-Magany, Paan Riak-Magaany Family Desk.

This article is a response to those who criticize this marriage tradition of paying a lot of cows in marriage or competing for a girl. I am not concerned with whether politics influenced Athiak and/or her family’s choice of her husband.  It is up to those two competing families and Athiak who might have made her decision.

Critics of the marriage tradition should know that this tradition has existed among the Dinka for centuries. The dowry was created as a means of wealth redistribution among the Dinka community. It was also created as an appreciation for the upbringing of the girl. It is not just done for beautiful girls but even for girls who may be average but are humble, generous, and responsible. It should also be noted that there’s dowry discrimination, as the rich and the able are to pay more while the poor are charged reasonably. In fact, it is the bridegroom that pays their amount, not the parent of the girl that demands a certain amount. So the argument that the Dinka marriage tradition of paying too many cows excludes or denies those who don’t have resources from marrying is not true!

The funny thing about the critics of the Dinka marriage tradition is that the criticism often comes from self-proclaimed feminists or those from different cultures or who grew up in different cultures without acknowledging their origins. By the way, some critics actually don’t hate this culture but are just resentful because they will never get such an honor. The critics might just be feeling a bit left out, jealous of all the over-the-top praise these marriages get. I mean, who wouldn’t want their wedding to be talked about for centuries? Trying to face-masked their envy by claiming that Athiak should prioritize her education or that she’s too young may sound realistic.

But do they think a university graduate wouldn’t support his wife’s education, or do they think marriage is hitting the stop button on a girl’s education? And for those giving crocodile tears about her age 19, haven’t you heard of the teenage pregnancy crisis in South Sudan? I mean, isn’t it better to have a responsible young man who’ll let your daughter continue her education as long as your daughter loves them? Obviously, I wouldn’t agree with forced marriages or seeing someone old enough to be a history book marrying a girl just out of high school!

For your knowledge, some well-educated women respect and adhere to these cultural practices. For instance, I know girls who attended universities, some even are graduates of Ivy League universities, who were married through the traditional process of paying more than 200 cows or even competing for them. Are the critics claiming to be more educated or civilized than someone who attended an Ivy League university and still embraced her culture?

For those who say that this tradition encourages cattle raiding, you should know that raiding is primarily a result of communal conflict due to land disputes similar to land grabbing or theft in town. In any case,  in every society, some people will always refuse to work hard in life but will choose to steal from others. Therefore, cattle raiding is not a direct consequence of cultural marriage practices. Otherwise, prove to me one person who has ever married with stolen cows. I am sure critics will struggle to mention one.

Our culture values good character and responsibility. This is why a wealthy but untrustworthy man would find it hard to get a bride in the real Dinka culture while the most beautiful but reckless and prideful girl can not be married in such a process. The future of the girl is carefully considered, not just the cows. Cows or dowry alone do not add value to a man’s name. He must be self-sufficient and responsible to be considered worthy of someone’s daughter. We should not hastily judge or abandon our cultural practices without understanding their significance. Those who critique from afar without engaging with the beauty of Dinka traditions are just projecting their own cultural insecurities.

The audacity of outsiders to impose their views on others’ traditions smacks of neo-colonial arrogance!! It’s not enough to criticize; one must understand and respect the cultural context before making judgments. Our traditions have sustained our society for generations, and they contain wisdom that outsiders may never understand.

Instead of belittling our ways as backward, maybe try to think and ask yourself why have they persisted and what they truly mean to those who live by them because in most societies bad traditions like female circumcision have been abandoned. Ask yourself why has this culture of dowry competition existed up to now among the Dinka people, even among educated men and girls. Yala Ba jal nong good night or day, wherever you are.

Why Marial Garang Jiel Lost Athiak Dau Riak-Magany to Chol Marol Deng: An Analysis
Marial Garang Jiel’s failure to win the hand of Athiak Dau Riak in the marriage competition against Chol Marol Deng Atem has sparked considerable discussion and speculation. Here, we delve into the key reasons behind Marial’s loss, which range from personal choices to socio-political dynamics.
1. Marial Was Already Married
One of the most significant factors that worked against Marial was his marital status. Already having a wife was a major stumbling block. Marial believed that his experience and skills as a husband would be seen as an advantage, but Athiak viewed it differently. Modern women often seek exclusivity and the idea of becoming a second wife, regardless of the man’s experience, is less appealing. This perspective significantly influenced Athiak’s decision, signaling a shift in societal values towards more egalitarian and monogamous relationships.
2. Political Tension Between Twic Dinka and Bor Dinka
While the competition was primarily between the Awulian and Koch communities, underlying political tensions between Twic Dinka and Bor Dinka played a detrimental role for Marial. The political drama added an extra layer of complexity to an already competitive situation. Politics often interferes with personal matters, and in this case, it exacerbated Marial’s challenges. The strained relations between Twic Dinka and Bor Dinka created an environment where Marial’s chances were further diminished, highlighting how broader community issues can impact individual outcomes.
3. Marial Talked to Athiak’s Father, Not Athiak
In an apparent misstep, Marial concentrated his efforts on impressing Athiak’s father rather than engaging with Athiak herself. This approach might have worked in a different era, but today’s world values the opinions of women more than ever before. Athiak’s voice in the decision-making process was crucial, and Marial’s failure to connect with her directly was a significant oversight. The lesson here is clear: in contemporary relationships, both partners’ desires and opinions are paramount.
4. Marial Was Playing an Away Game
Marial’s origins in Bor Dinka community put him at a disadvantage, akin to playing an away game in a rival’s stadium of Twic Dinka community. Both Athiak and Chol are from Twic Dinka, which meant Marial was not only an outsider but also faced the challenge of winning favor on unfamiliar ground. The local support for Chol was a powerful force that Marial struggled to overcome, emphasizing the importance of local alliances and community support in such competitions.
5. Marial is a Military Man
Marial’s military background, which he thought would be an asset, turned out to be less appealing to Athiak. The demanding nature of a soldier’s life, with long absences and a strict, regimented lifestyle, did not align with Athiak’s expectations of a partner. This preference underscores a shifting attitude towards valuing stability and presence in a relationship over traditional notions of heroism and duty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Marial Garang Jiel’s loss in the marriage competition for Athiak Dau Riak’s hand can be attributed to a combination of personal choices, socio-political factors, and changing societal values. His marital status, misjudgment in communication, Twic vs Bor political backdrop, outsider status, and military profession all played a part in tipping the scales in favor of Chol Marol Deng Atem. This case illustrates the evolving dynamics of marriage and relationships in contemporary society.

~ Dr Moses Nyanciigak

The author, Emmanuel Malou Deng, is an undergraduate student at Columbia University in New York City. The opinions expressed here belong to Emmanuel and he is responsible for anything that may arise from the article. He can be contacted on WhatsApp at +211981156792 or via email at: malousondeng@gmail.com.

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