About Yar

On Wednesday October 3rd in the evening between 4 and 5pm, my family’s house in Liliir was attacked by the arms Murle ethnic groups. As a result, my grandma Yom Dit was killed at gun shot, step mom Yar Riek is wounded and my nieces Yar and Ajak Aciek Mading were abducted. Yar Aciek Mading, born in April 2004. (Her photo is at right.) She is three years old. Ajak Aciek Mading, born in August 2006. She is one and half year old. (We have no photos of Ajak.) They are the children of my sister Amer Ayuen Kou. I heard that mom Yar Riek is still in the hospital under the treatment. Dad went home the day after the incident to bury grandma. All my relatives are informed. Below is the description and historical background of the Murle ethnic.

The name Murle denotes cattle nomads who move from one place to another without having a permanent home. The name Murle was given to a group that entered Sudan from Kenyan territories via Kapoeta in Eastern Equartoria State and settled south of Malakal and north of Torit specifically speaking in the region of Shukdum which was a rallying point for Murle groups. Ethnicities neighboring the Murle are Nuer live in the region of Akobo, south of Malakal, bordering the Murle to the North. Dinka Bor, lives in the region of Bor, lying south of Malakal and bordering the Murle to the West. The Anyuak, live in the region of Pachalla and its outskirts with the Murle to the south. Al Azuak, live east of the Boma Mountains spreading up to the Ethiopian borders, with the Murle bordering them to the east. Historically, all these ethnicities are engage into clashes with the Murle because the latter steals their cows and kidnap their children and women.

The Murle use of firearms led neighboring ethnicities to fear them. The Murle get married to kidnapped girls from Dinka and Anyuak, Azuak and Toposa ethnicities, whereas men from these ethnicities do not get married to Murle girls. The Murle used to attack the Nuer, robbing their cows only. But when attacking the Dinka, they would rob their cows, kill their men and take away their children and property. The Dinka and Nuer would not counter-attack the Murle. As for the Anyuak and Azuak, the Murle would rob their cows and kill their men only. The Murle ethnic was known for engaging into war against the Nuer for purpose of stealing their cattle. The Murle has come to learn the use of firearms a long time ago. They would use these arms in their fights against neighboring ethnicities such as Dinka, Nuer and Anuak. Their fathers would teach Young Murle how to shoot the targets. The Murle used to attack the Dinka, seizing their cattle and kidnapping their daughters whom they married to their sons.