Resonance of age-systems in southeastern Sudan

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Book chapter

Title:	Resonance of age-systems in southeastern Sudan
Author:	Kurimoto, Eisei
Book title:	Conflict, age & power in North East Africa: age systems in transition
Year:	1998
Pages:	29-50
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sudan
Subjects:	Otuho generations
Abstract:	In southeastern Sudan, a specific type of graded age system, called 'monyomiji', developed among various groups and still plays a prominent role in social life. 'Monyomiji' is the name of the ruling middle-aged grade in Lotuho, and means 'fathers' or 'owners' of the village. The linguistic and ethnic diversity of the peoples possessing these systems is remarkable. They are the Lotuho-speaking peoples, including the Lotuho proper, the Lokoya, the Lopit, the Ohoriok, the Lango, the Dongotono, and the Logir; the Lulubo; the Pari and a part of the Acholi; and the Tenet. The 'monyomiji', which is basically composed of four age-grades, constitutes a sort of collective government, of which all men of the grade are members. Although it is likely that the system spread originally from the Lotuho proper to other peoples, the interrelations as a whole cannot be explained as a matter of cultural diffusion from one centre to the periphery. The systems reacted to one another, in a process which is called 'resonance' in this chapter. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]