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Acholi
Of the 700.000 TO 1.000.000 members of the der Nilotic ethinic group of the Acholi 40.000 live 40.000 in East Equatoria
The Acholi belong to the Luo-languages of the West-Nilotic languages. The Acholi are closely related to the Lango, Alur, Luo and Shilluk people. Achioli are also referred to as Acoli, Atsholi, Asjob, Gan, Gang, Makushuru and Shuli.
The main area of the 30.000 km2 large area in which the Acholi settled, is based in the hill and valley region an of the Imatong-Mountains and Acholi Hills, which lies mainly in Northern Uganda („Acholiland“), and to a smaller proportion North of the border in the South Sudanese State of East Equatoria, and especially in County Magwi (Magwe). The territory is presumed to be rich in Gold and Chromit vermutet. Acholis of Southern Sudan from tome to time refer to themselves as „Doc Acoli“, in an attempt to disnguish themselves from the „Log Acoli“ in Uganda.
Amongst the most famous Achioli was the Ugandan power Okot p’Bitek (1931–1982) („Song of Lawino“) and the leader of the Ugandan Rebel faction LRA (Lord´s Resistance Army) Joseph Kony (b. aprox. 1960). Die Acholi are above all a farmers, who on communal land, raise cattle, sheep and goats, or who grow crops. They are known as talented hunters and fishers. Many Achioli serve also in the military and in the police
The ancestors of the contemporary Achioli arrived 500 years ago from Northern areas around Bahr al-Ghazal if one is to believe traditional stories. Quite possibly the origins of the Achioli are linked to the ethnic groups of Nilo-Saharan languages, such as the Madi and Luo. The Achioli are traditionally let by a chief (Rwot, pl. Rwodi) who leads and rules over patrilinear social village communities. There is no cetral authorithy that binds all Acholi. Culturally the Acholifor their wide range of dances. Today the majority of Acholi are Christians or Muslims, whilst traces of the original Acholi-religion and their main god Jok (Juak) remain and a widley kept ancestral spiritual worshipping. Since 2006 especially the South Sudanese Acholi are victims of the LRA, which is in part supported by the Sudanese government.
Avukaya (to be continued)
Azande
Bari proper
Bongo
Didinga
Dinka
Madi
Moru
Murle
Nuer
Shilluk