Demography and Geography

Jur Mananger, or literally the 'foreigners of Anger's mother' in Dinka, is an amalgam of tribes of mainly Luo speaking people, found in eastern part of Gogrial district between Wunrok and Lietnhom. The Jur Mananger are made up of several clans reflecting their origin. They number between 20,000 and 30,000 people.

Environment, Economy and Natural Resources

The environment in which the Jur Mananger live in is swampy due to the flood plains between the Nile and eastern borders of the ironstone plateau. The area has perennial streams that drain into the Nile through the area. The people are fishermen as well as agro-pastoral. The potential natural resources are fisheries, petroleum and aquatic reptiles.

Mythology and History

As their name implies, the Jur Mananger are not Dinka despite living among them. Tradition has it that many of them were Luo speaking people who migrated from the west to escape slave raiders and sought protection from the Dinka. They were accommodated by a woman known as 'man Anger' (Anger's mother). There is a strong opinion that these people were the aborigines of the area and could be related to the Luel believed to be the ancestors of the Dinka and the Nuer. Luel could have been the cousin of Luo. The relation needs further investigation.

Language

Jur Mananger speak a language which close to Jo-Luo and the Shilluk although they also fluently speak Dinka language.

Society, Social Events, Attitudes, Customs and Traditions

Jur Mananger draw much of their social norms from the Dinka and the Jo Luo. Little study has been undertaken about their social organisation. They have been dismissed as criminals or fugitives of Luo justice. This area calls for more investigation and research.

Socio-Political Organisation and Traditional Authority

The Jur Mananger did not have their own traditional authority. They used to be under the authority of the paramount chief of Apuk Dinka, chief Giir Thiik, himself believed to be a nephew of the Jo Luo from his mother.

Spirituality, Beliefs and Customs

The Mananger combine Luo and Dinka spirituality and beliefs in a supreme being and the spirits of the departed ancestors.

Culture: Arts, Music, Literature and Handicraft

This area needs further investigation.

Neighbours and Foreign Relations and Co-operation

The Jur Mananger neighbour the Apuk and Twic Dinka in eastern Bahr el Ghazal and Nuer in western Upper Nile.

Latest Developments

The Jur Mananger have been eclipsed by the Dinka that there is nothing in print regarding their status. Many of the Mananger who may have gone to school, identify themselves with the Dinka.

Diaspora

There is no record of Mananger Diaspora

Further Reading

Stefano Santandrea, ¡®Ethno-geography of the Bahr el Ghazal [Sudan].¡¯ Editrice Missionaria Italiana, Via dell¡¯Arcoveggio 80/7, Bologna, 1981.

Seligman, C. G., and Seligman, B. Z., ¡®Pagan Tribes of the Nilotic Sudan.¡¯ George Routledge & Sons Ltd., London, 1932 [1964 reprint]