The Mundari tribe, a pastoralist community living along the Nile River north of South Sudan’s capital, Juba, have an unbreakable bond with their cattle. Despite their reliance on livestock, the Mundari rarely eat their cows. Instead, their diet primarily consists of milk, yogurt mixed with cow urine, and occasionally fish from the Nile.
Cattle play a vital role in every aspect of Mundari life. Beyond providing food, they are central to hygiene and personal care. Mundari men use cow urine as a natural antiseptic, squatting under streams of it to prevent infections and protect themselves from the region’s intense heat. This practice also gives their hair a distinctive orange hue.
Cattle as Currency and Status
The Mundari are known for their prized breed of cattle, the Ankole-Watusi, often referred to as “the cattle of kings.” These cows, valued between $400 and $600 each, are considered the most valuable possessions a Mundari person can own. Wealth is not measured in money but by the number of cows one has.
Cattle also serve as the primary means of securing a marriage. In Mundari tradition, when a man wishes to marry a woman, she first moves into his home before any formal negotiations take place. The groom does not approach the bride’s father directly, as doing so is seen as an insult. Instead, the elders of the woman’s family visit to set the bride price, which is paid entirely in cows. The standard dowry is up to seven cows.
Because daughters bring more cattle into the family, women are highly valued in Mundari society. Having multiple daughters is seen as a blessing, as it increases a family’s livestock wealth.
A Life of Migration and Conflict
The Mundari are a subgroup of the Karo people, one of South Sudan’s Nilotic ethnic groups. Like many Nilotic tribes, they are deeply cattle-oriented, with livestock serving as currency and a status symbol. Their nomadic lifestyle revolves around migrating in search of fresh grass and water for their herds.
However, their strong attachment to cattle also fuels conflict. During the dry season, the Mundari engage in violent cattle raids with the Bor Dinka, another Nilotic group. These clashes, often deadly, are driven by the competition for resources and the high value placed on livestock.
For the Mundari, cattle are more than just animals—they represent identity, wealth, and survival. In a society where a man’s fortune is measured in cows, the Mundari continue to uphold traditions that have defined them for generations.
