The Nilotes constitute the majority of the population in South Sudan, an area that is believed to be their original point of dispersal. After the Bantu peoples, they constitute the second-most numerous groups of people inhabiting the African Great Lakes region around the East African Rift. They make up a notable part of the population of southwestern Ethiopia as well. Nilotic peoples numbered 7 million in the late 20th century.
However, the term ‘Nilote’ entails a demographic of people mostly associated with southern Sudan, northern Uganda, and western Kenya. ‘Nilote’ refers to the area in which these people live, primarily the upper region of the upper Nile and its tributaries. It also points to a linguistic unity that separates them from neighbors who are similar in both physical attributes and culture.
Among the Nilotes are the Burun-speaking peoples, Karo peoples, Luo peoples, Ateker peoples, Kalenjin peoples, Datooga, Dinka, Nuer, Atwot, Lotuko, and the Maa-speaking peoples. South Sudan currently has the largest population of Nilotes in Africa. The Shilluk are the most highly organized, having a divine king who symbolizes the whole realm. Organized chieftainships, associated with rainmaking, court ceremonial, and royal emblems, are also found among the Anywa, Acholi, and others.
In contrast, the Nuer, Dinka, and Luo of Kenya are without rulers, their egalitarian society being based on a relationship between lineage segments coordinated with territorial segments. A dominant clan is associated with a tribal territory; dominant lineages of this clan are found in subdivisions of society. The principal opposition between segments and their fusion in relation to larger segments is marked; descent is patrilineal.
The pastoral tradition remains central to the lives of Nilotes today. Cattle are always important to them and are even used as a form of currency. In marriage, cattle hold deep symbolic value, and any bidding husband is expected to gift the bride’s family up to 300 cows.
