Dinka "Spirits", Cattle and Communion

Abstract

The Dinka, who make up the largest ethnic group of the southern Sudan, hold to an all-embracing three-way covenant among themselves, cattle and a pervasive "Spiritual Force," fused in concept yet diversely present in sky, rain, heavenly bodies and flesh (Ring), and personified as named "spirits" such as Garang ("original father") and Deng. Ring and Garang share many qualities in common. Ring as "Spiritual Force" is manifested in the sacrificial bull and "holy men" by uncontrollable muscular fibrillations. Garang and Deng often are described in bovine terms. An important element in Dinka bull sacrifice is communion, the central ritual of all significant interactions among themselves, with nature or with the divine. It both confirms and reinforces their underlying covenant. In its fullest performance, it is a theophagic rite.