A Tribute to Rebecca Adau Aguer Deng (Adau-Majongyar): January 1, 1923 – May 31, 2023
By Mabior Atem Kuir Mabior, Juba, South Sudan
A Life of Love and Legacy
Saturday, 17 May 2025 (PW) — This tribute celebrates the life and living memory of Rebecca Adau Aguer Deng Aguer Lual, known affectionately as Adau-Majongyar. Her century-long journey was marked by love, joy, and a profound impact on her family across generations. She embodied enduring humility, humanity, and compassion throughout her life. One of her most cherished wishes, to remain mentally sound until death, was fulfilled, as she retained full memory and social abilities until her peaceful passing.
Early Life
Adau Aguer was born on January 1, 1923, in Pachueer Village, now part of Twic East County in Jonglei State, South Sudan. She was born into the family of Deng Aguer, with her father being Aguer Deng Aguer Lual (Aguer Lou-Keer) from Hol Ajang Majok, and her mother Aruay Ageer Atem Yai (Pan Atem Mayen) from Ciir, Pan Yai in Pakeer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings, two sisters and four brothers, all of whom married into respected families and lived fulfilling lives with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
It is worth noting that Ajah Deng Lual, also known as Ajah Deng Jokrial, the mother of Atem Kuir Mabior Awan Kuol, was Adau Aguer Deng’s aunt. Ajah Deng played a significant role in raising Adau, establishing a lasting familial bond between their descendants, a relationship expected to endure across generations as long as the family history is preserved and shared.
Marriage and Family
Adau Aguer Deng Lual was the beloved wife of the late David Dau Atem Anyuon de Dau, known by his traditional names: Dau-Agutyar, Aloomcol, and Thukayoor. David came from Anok, Wut Pan Anyuon, a sub-lineage of Pan Dau, which is part of the Pan Anyuon (Mageer) and Pan Atem (Mayom-Jack) in Pakeer.
Together, they were blessed with seven children:
Anyuon de Dau Atem – Son (deceased)
Yar de Dau Atem – Daughter (deceased)
Mapiou de Dau Atem – Son (deceased)
Bor de Dau Atem – Daughter (deceased); married before her passing
Matiop de Dau Atem – Son (living); married to Achol Kuol (mane Adaudit) and Aduk Aleer Chan (mane Adauthii)
Aghot de Dau Atem – Daughter (living); married to Wut Ayual
Ajok de Dau Atem – Daughter (living); married to Wut Kongor
A Mother’s Legacy
Each of Adau’s living children holds distinct and deeply personal memories of their beloved mother. From childhood innocence to their final tender moments together, each carries the lasting imprint of her love, guidance, and presence. Throughout her life, they stood by her side, offering moral strength, material support, and heartfelt care. Their unwavering devotion allowed her to fully experience the profound gift of motherhood, an experience that not all women are fortunate enough to embrace or be honored for.
Adau’s children were not only her pride and joy but also a source of purpose and peace in her later years. Their presence and compassion brought her solace, making her journey through life rich with meaning and surrounded by love. As the family looks to the future, their greatest responsibility is to uphold and carry forward the wisdom, love, and legacy that Adau so gracefully embodied.
The Next Generations
Bor de Dau Atem’s Legacy
Bor de Dau Atem, the beloved daughter of the late Daniel Dau Deng of Kongor, Pareng, was the only child born to her parents. Despite her passing, her legacy lives on through her daughter and extended family. Bor was the mother of Anok Bor de Dau Atem, who married Tor Nhial Ayiik of Abek, Paguang.
Together, Anok and Tor Nhial were blessed with six children: Deng Tor Nhial, Achol Tor Nhial, Mabior Tor Nhial, Amach Tor Nhial, Riak Tor Nhial, and Awach Tor Nhial. Anok continues her mother’s legacy as a grandmother to Bor de Dau’s great-grandchildren, extending the family tree into its fourth generation.
Though Bor de Dau could not directly care for her aging parents, she served as a role model to her siblings, Aghot and Ajok, who were inspired by her example to care for their parents with great devotion. Through their efforts, the family experienced a remarkable transformation, rising to new heights of honor and respect within their community.
Matiop de Dau Atem’s Family
Matiop de Dau Atem, the only surviving son, married Achol Kuol Dut (Kuol Malaak) from Pakeer, Wut-Cir, Pan Achol, and Pan Awan Kuol as his first wife. His second wife is Aduk Aleer Chan Quot from Nyarweng, Payaath, with whom he has a daughter named Adauthii.
Matiop was separated from his beloved parents in the early 1980s due to the civil war, when he was taken to Cuba by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/SPLM for education. He spent decades without seeing his parents but was fortunately reunited with them in the mid-2000s while they were both still alive. He supported them until their passing and hopes that God will continue to bless the family with descendants who embody Adau Aguer’s spirit and values.
Aghot de Dau Atem’s Family
Aghot de Dau Atem married the late Bul Mabil Awer, a respected member of the Ayual community from the Roodior clan within the Pan Awer Adeer lineage. She has five children.
Among her children, Awer Bul Mabil has achieved global prominence, particularly recognized for his performance during the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup, a milestone that brought immense pride to the family. His grandmother, Adau Aguer, celebrated his achievements with joy and pride, often praising his success during those historic international events.
During the liberation war, Aghot displayed deep familial devotion as the primary caregiver for her aging parents, ensuring their well-being amid challenging circumstances. Her commitment remained steadfast until she later emigrated to Australia. Following her departure, her younger sister, Ajok, took over the responsibility of supporting their elderly parents.
Ajok de Dau Atem’s Family
Ajok de Dau Atem, married to the late Ajang Duot Atem from Kongor, Payaath, Pan Atemthi, had five children. Ajok demonstrated deep love and devotion to her aging mother by taking full responsibility for her care in Kenya before eventually moving to Australia with her children to join Aghot and Matiop.
In Dinka culture, sacrificing one’s marriage to care for aging parents is seen as an unquestionable act of love. Despite this, Adaudit expressed concern, saying it would seem unmotherly for her daughters not to live with their marriage families because they cared for her. Nonetheless, Ajok continued to support her mother with dedication, and her kindness was deeply cherished by Adaudit.
Malang Ajok de Dau Atem
Malang Ajok de Dau Atem, daughter of Dau Atem, is married to Buol Majak Thiak Diit from Makuach Payam, Boma Wekok, Pan Deer Pagol. Together, they have three children. Due to the geographical distance between Makuach and Pakeer, where her parents lived, it was difficult for Malang to provide the same level of physical care as Aghot and Ajok. Nevertheless, her emotional support remained constant as a show of love and solidarity with her parents.
Cultural Pride: Awer Mabil’s Symbolic Gesture
Awer Mabil’s symbolic cow horn gesture, as shown in pictures with his grandmother Adaudit and Aker Atem Ajah, carries deep cultural significance for the Jieng people. This gesture, performed when Awer scored a goal during a World Cup match while playing for the Australian national team, became iconic not only for his athletic achievement but also for the cultural heritage it symbolized.
In Jieng culture, cow horns can be cut and twisted to grow in specific, deliberate ways. The shape of these horns, almost like hands as depicted in the pictures, holds particular importance in Jieng culture.
The image of Awer with his symbolic cow horn gesture resonated deeply with South Sudanese communities worldwide. It became a source of pride and reflection, especially after Awer returned to South Sudan with his grandmother’s body for burial. This powerful symbol has come to represent more than just a sporting moment; it bridges South Sudan’s rich cultural heritage and the modern world, symbolizing pride in heritage, identity, and the values passed down through generations.
Final Farewell
Adau Aguer Deng passed away on May 31, 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 100. Her death was primarily due to age-related complications, though she had no major underlying health issues. She was taken to St. Paul Hospital in Nairobi with respiratory issues caused by insufficient oxygen circulation in her lungs. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death as trachyarrhythmia/pulmonary embolism, as stated on the death certificate dated June 2, 2023.
In summary, Adau Aguer Deng lived a rich and meaningful life filled with happiness and fulfillment. Her joy was evident in witnessing some of her grandchildren marry and taking pride in their accomplishments, especially Awer Aghot’s extraordinary success, which she shared with the world through social media. At the time of her passing, Adau Aguer Deng was blessed with 29 grandchildren.
She will be remembered not only for her love and wisdom but also for her remarkable role as a source of knowledge within her family and community. Adaudit’s guidance on matters of family history and genealogical connections made her a cherished source of wisdom. Her children, grandchildren, and extended family will forever carry her memory in their hearts, praying that God will bless them with another person like her to continue her legacy of wisdom.
May her soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – John 14:1-4
Note: This tribute was written by the son of Atem Ajah Deng Lual (also known as Atem Kuir Mabior Awan Kuol) and shares a deep kinship with Adau, who was raised by the writer’s aunt, Ajah Deng Lual. The writer fondly describes Adau as a “library of our families,” someone whose knowledge they often relied upon. The writer acknowledges the contributions of Adau’s children, Aghot, Ajok, Matiop and extended family in providing valuable family information for this thematic biography.
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