The Pari (also spelled Paeri) are an ethnic group in

South Sudan South Sudan (), officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the north by Sudan; on the east by Ethiopia; on the south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya; and on the ...

. They also call themselves Jo-Pari (people of Pari).

History

Pari oral history says the people migrated from the north and west to Lafon County in

Eastern Equatoria Eastern Equatoria is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 73,472 km2. The capital city is Torit. On October 1, 1972, the state was divided into Imatong and Namorunyang states and was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 F ...

, where they lived in six villages at the foot of Lipul Hill ( Jebel Lafon). As well as growing crops such as

sorghum ''Sorghum bicolor'', commonly called sorghum () and also known as great millet, broomcorn, guinea corn, durra, imphee, jowar, or milo, is a species in the Poaceae, grass genus ''Sorghum (genus), Sorghum'' cultivated for its grain. The grain i ...

and keeping cattle, goats and sheep, they hunted and fished. Gurtong Peace Project - South Sudanese Communities
/ref> The Pari might have previously occupied

Bari Bari ( ; ; ; ) is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia Regions of Italy, region, on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is the first most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy. It is a port and ...

territory. Bari oral history recounts that when they arrived in their present homeland from the north they found the Pari people there.

Modern history

The 1982 census put the total Pari population at approximately 11,000. When the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) began, many Pari joined the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement, and many were killed. In February 1993 all six Pari villages were burnt down. The Pari were scattered and now live in various settlements.

Culture

The multi-ethnic tribe speaks Päri, a Luo language, and practice Luo customs such as an

age set In anthropology, an age set is a social category or corporate social group, consisting of people of similar age, who have a common identity, maintain close ties over a prolonged period, and together pass through a series of age-related statuses. ...

system of social organization. Jwok is the local name for God. Most of the Pari belong to the

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

religion. The pari community are basically divided into six sub-groups/villages. These include Wiatuo, Kor, Bura, Angulumere, Pugera and Puchwa. They are practising cultural administration i.e age regimate termed as Mojo-miji. These takes place after every four years. One of the prominent leaders who led the county is Colonel Thomas Udwar Augustino. The county is currently found in Imatong state. Hunting of wild animals especially during the dry season is becoming a hobby to the majority of teenage boys because of need to get money after a successful hunting.

References

Ethnic groups in South Sudan Eastern Equatoria Luo peoples {{SouthSudan-ethno-group-stub