The DINKA are a group of indigenous people located on both sides of the Nile River since the 10th century. Consisting of about 3 million people, the group is divided into 21 factions, each with its appointed leader.
Farming, fishing, and agriculture has been their main economic resource, and has allowed them to remain self sufficient all these years. However their minimal trade and industrial structure are constantly gaining importance as the world around them changes.
For over 3 decades Photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher have provided respectful insight into the customs, rituals, and daily lives various African tribes. The following set is a collection of their breath taking experiences with the Dinka of South Sudan.
dinka women remove their clothing before entering the river, revealing their beaded jewelery.their belts and bracelets have been worn since puberty, while the necklaces were given by their husbands at the time of marriage.
Young Dinka boys enjoy playing in the water after fishing. occasionally during the spearing of fish, monitor lizards or even pythons may be accidentally caught.
A young woman abandons herself to the pleasure of dancing. she wears the highly valued blue beads given to her as a present by her husband at their marriage.
At the end of the dry season when pastures are scarce, the dinka return with their cattle to their village homesteads on higher ground.women carry all of their possessions balanced on their heads, while men drive the herds.
Courtship begins for dinka men at 20 years old, and for girls at 17. a man, however, may not marry until he is 30 years old, as he must raise the sufficient number of cattle to pay the bride price.
At 17 to 18 years a girl is ready for marriage, and is fattened up by her family to look attractive.a beaded bodice veils and subtly enhances her femininity. a valued gift from her mother, the bodice is passed on to her younger sister after marriage.
