Abuk: A Rebel From South Sudan

By Mohammed Fareed Hassan

An insight fictional story which introduces you to the Mujhang tribe of Southern Sudan through the daily life of Abuk the protagonist and her struggle to fulfill the dream of her late husband.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9789948825890

Mohammed Fareed Hassan

Mohammed Fareed Hassan grew up in Omdurman, the national capital of Sudan, where all the different ethnic groups of the country lived in peace and harmony. He got his degree from the University of Khartoum and then joined the education sector in UAE. Now he is back home at a loose end for writing.

Book preview

Abuk

A Rebel From South Sudan

Mohammed Fareed Hassan

Austin Macauley Publishers

Abuk

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgement

Part One

The Dream

Moving to Rumbek

Going to War

Rupture of Garang’s Family

Abuk Calamities

Getting Away

Meeting the Caravan

Sesame and Cotton Plantations

Ishaq’s Proposal to Abuk

Part Two

Finding Mariam

New Life

Challenges of the New Life

Abuk and Adult Education

Abuk Finds a Job

Friends Basketball Team

Misfortunes and Ordeals

University of Khartoum

Abuk’s Restaurant

Appearance of Thong

Thong’s Story

Family Talk

Back to Yirol

About the Author

Mohammed Fareed Hassan grew up in Omdurman, the national capital of Sudan, where all the different ethnic groups of the country lived in peace and harmony. He got his degree from the University of Khartoum and then joined the education sector in UAE. Now he is back home at a loose end for writing.

Dedication

To the widows and the working mothers all over the world; to the orphans who have to suffer and endure the loss of their parents; and, finally, to my family, who believes in me.

Copyright Information ©

Mohammed Fareed Hassan 2022

The right of Mohammed Fareed Hassan to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) of UAE, Year 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighboring Rights.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to legal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

The age category suitable for the books’ contents has been classified and defined in accordance to the Age Classification System issued by the National Media Council.

ISBN – 9789948825883 – (Paperback)

ISBN – 9789948825890 – (E-Book)

Application Number: MC-10-01-2074160

Age Classification: 17+

First Published 2022

AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS FZE

Sharjah Publishing City

P.O Box [519201]

Sharjah, UAE

www.austinmacauley.ae

[phone]

Acknowledgement

I owe a debt of gratitude and appreciation to my friends Zaki Peter Bodai and Dr Jalal for their sincere efforts put in revising and editing this book.

And a special gratitude and appreciation to Alrakoba electronic paper for providing me with the pictures.

Mohammed Fareed Hassan

Characters

Part One

The Dream

Early hours of the day in the village

Though it was dawn, but it was still dim and murky. The morning sun was not yet seen. The heavy weighty and grey clouds prevented the sun rays from reaching the ground that day. The stubborn clouds were so determent not to allow the rays to sneak through them and break the new day. But, nevertheless that did not deter life in Yirol from commencing. Mooing of cattle and clucking of chickens filled the gap between the clouds and the ground. Some of the women were fumbling their way in the darkness trying to reach the corral to get some milk for the morning meal. Indifferently, they greeted each other mumbling a few greeting words.

Usually the corral is placed behind the dwelling huts. Every family keeps some cattle within the settlement for milk, which is one of the basic components of the Mujhang daily meals. The bulk of the herd is always kept in the cattle camps away from the village. Abuk returned to the compound where she found her husband, Garang squatting in front of the hut waiting for her. Their first son Thong was still sleeping inside the hut. He was only three years old. Now she is pregnant with their second child, and she was due in about three months. They got married about four years ago. They both belonged to the Agar clan, which is the biggest and the richest of all the Mujhang clans in the area. They were war-like people, and they were a source of dread and terror for the other smaller clans in the area. They were proud and overconfident with their big population and wealth. Both Abuk and Garang grew up in wealthy families and both were proud and thought very high about themselves but in different ways. Garang was proud of his height and his formidable strength. No other warrior could ever put his back on the ground in wrestling contests, and no one had ever thrown his spear further than him. As for Abuk, she was also very tall, actually she was the tallest girl in the village, and that was considered one of beauty measures among the Mujhang clans. Besides that she had a beautiful and smiling face as well as a funny and humorous character which made her the most admired and wanted damsel in the village by all young men. However and despite the many lovers who hovered over her, only Garang was able to win her heart. She had feelings for him since the time they were children, and she felt that he had the same feelings for her. So their mutual love became known to all, and it was only a matter of time for them to crown their love with the holy bondage of marriage. Both families of the two lovers blessed them and the marriage celebrations continued for more than a week.

One year after the marriage, they got their first child, Thong, and now she is pregnant with the second one. They both enjoyed a happy and contented life as they were admired and cherished by all. Abuk placed the big bowl which was filled with the warm milk she had just got from the cow and went inside the hut she used to store things in. She returned to her husband with a smaller bowl with dry gruel in. Garang poured some of the milk on his bowl to soften the dry gruel. He waited for a while, and then began to stir it up with a stick specially designed for this job, after that he lifted the bowl up and returned it to the ground empty. Abuk watched him gleefully, and asked him if he wanted more. Garang thanked his wife and said he would like no more and said, Striking beauty, and that was the name Garang had given to his wife.

Yes, my lord, answered Abuk with a tender voice.

I had a vision last night. I saw my son Thong and me in a strange place, a village with many people, but I recognised none of them. I carried Thong and asked them about you and my other child, but they said nothing. I tried to find my way out, but I couldn’t, I just walked in circles until I woke up. I don’t like it. I’ll go and ask Kejor Allier about this.

It’s nothing, just a dream like other ones. Do not ask Allier about it, he’ll just make up stories for you. You know most of what he says is nonsense, and it does not happen.

Yes, but surely he knows something. Nhailic inspires him. Garang answered his wife restlessly. Abuk sensed his anxiety about the dream and tried to comfort him by saying that it was just another bad dream and nothing bad would happen because of it. The couple continued talking, and soon their child joined them and had his share of the gruel and the milk which his mother had prepared for him. By then some rays managed to flee through the intractable clouds and found their way to enlighten and warm the village. Garang extended up his huge structure and said he would go to the cattle camp to check over, and he would return by the evening. He held his spear and bid his wife and son good bye and left for the camp. Abuk turned to her child and began to feed him. Soon after that she heard the steps of someone who was walking by the side of their straw fence which surrounded their huts. It was Methang, her mother. Abuk was her eldest daughter and the first one to get married. She used to come to her every day when her husband was away and take care of Thong to allow her time to run her domestic affairs. Back, at her own home, her other daughters take care of the house and prepare for their father what he needs.

I saw your man leaving early, is there anything wrong? inquired the mother after bidding her daughter a good day. She was also tall but not like her daughter, although she looked more compact. She drew closer and squatted on the ground near to the child and laid a kind hand on his head asking him how he was without paying much attention to what her daughter was saying about why her husband had to leave so early.

You know, ma it has been more than five days since he had been to the camp, he’s gone to check over the cattle, but you know I am sure he wanted to see Abar, he misses his bull, and he cannot stay for a week without seeing him.

Yes, just like your father, they are all alike. They cannot live without their bulls. Your father has composed a new song for Mugak, it’s now more than ten songs for Mugak, and he’s made nothing for me, just one poem before we got married and nothing else, said the mother cynically. Her daughter looked at her smilingly and said expressing her sympathy with her mother, Yes, Ma, he’s no different from the other Mujhang men. All of them are like this, but you know, Mother, they can stay away from their bulls for a while, but they cannot stay away from us for a night. The mother just murmured a few words agreeing with her daughter then turned to the child, singing for him.

Abuk excused her mother to go to the small garden behind the cottage to get some vegetables. She disappeared for a jiffy and then returned with some tomatoes and beans. Her mother was still singing and playing with Thong who was jiggling merrily. Abuk looked at her child and smiled to him affectionately seeing how happy he was playing with his grandmother. She went into the cottage which they used as a store to keep things and returned with a medium size kettle filled with tea and two glasses. The kettle had turned black from outside because of the smoke from the wood flames. They both had their tea, happily talking about many domestic issues concerning their big family. Mother Methang used to discuss everything with her eldest daughter. The bond between them was very strong and they both trusted and confided in each other.

Days and months passed rapidly without any visible change in the village or people’s lives. Everything followed its own path from dawn to sunset and next day the same routine was repeated. It was a quiet and monotonous life. No change had happened to people’s lives for decades. But today, Thong’s house was unusually teeming with excited women and children. Abuk was giving birth to her second child. Methang and some other old experienced women were helping Abuk inside the cottage. The other women outside kept praying and beseeching god, Nhailic to ease Abuk’s delivery and gives her a complete and healthy child. Garang sat under the big Adansonia tree with some of his friends waiting for his second child to come. Soon some children came dashing from his compound, breaking the news that he had got a new baby boy. He shouted with joy and stood receiving congratulations from his friends and relatives who gathered around him.

Garang was very happy. He really wanted to have another boy, so with his brother they would both help him with the cattle. To give his new son a name, he invited his relatives and friends to his place where they all spent a good time eating and drinking. The name of the new baby boy was announced by his father. Dear uncles and friends, thanks so much for coming to celebrate with us and thanks for the gifts you brought with you for us. Now I’m sure that all of you are eager to know the name we have chosen for our new boy. I won’t keep you pondering and guessing for long, the name is Luwal. My father chose to name him after his great father, Luwaldeng, and I agreed to that hoping he will become a great warrior like him. With this short speech, Thong introduced his new son to the community of the village. Soon after that, people started to quit, and finally, only Thong and his family were left in the place.

The year passed and Luwal started to crawl, while Thong grew up and became taller. Life was going smooth with the couple as they were able to find everything they needed. One day, Garang came to his wife and told her that he would go to Rumbek to sell a calf and get things for the family. Rumbek was the town where the villagers used to get their domestic needs like flour, tea, salt and many other things. Also in the shops, women could find beads and fine cloth. So Garang bid his wife and children good bye in the morning of the day that followed his talk with his wife and left for Rumbek driving his calf with his two close friends, Mayom and Garang. They hoped that Nhailic would ease their travel and make them achieve their goals behind the journey to Rumbek. They had already given their offerings to please him, so they would travel fearing nothing. They arrived at Rumbek about mid-day, and the market place was filled with people who came from all the neighbouring villages to sell and buy things just like Garang and his friends. Most of the attendants were Mujhang but many from other tribes like Nuer, Murle and Firteet were also there. They were all wearing their traditional Laws and some were wearing the Arabs’ Jalabia, while some wore the European trousers, but those were few. One of those who were wearing the European dress attracted Garang’s attention. He was not like the others wearing just a trouser and a shirt, but on the shirt he was wearing another shirt thicker than the other one, and it had the same colour of the trousers. Beside him stood a small boy about ten years old wear a blue short and a blue shirt. He liked the scene and drew his friends’ attention to them. Mayom, look at that man. He must be someone who is important to be wearing such cloth.

Not only him, but also look at his son. He’s wearing beautiful cloth as well. I wonder what that man is doing. He must be one of the government officials. That was Mayom’s reaction to his friend’s observation.

Here Garang joined the conversation, Let’s ask the people here about him, definitely they know him. But he doesn’t look Mujhang to me. The three men turned to one of the shops and asked the trader there—who was an Arab—about the man. He answered them that the man was the new doctor of Rumbek Hospital. His name was Mohammed Kunji, and he was from the Baria tribe. The boy was his son. Garang asked another question not hiding his surprise, And what did he do to be the doctor of Rumbek Hospital?

He just went to school and after that he joined college, and after completing his studies he became a doctor. The trader said that carelessly without knowing the effect of his words on Garang who began to think seriously about schools and colleges and how he could send his sons to them.

What are they wearing, what is the name of that dress they are putting on? asked Garang, not hiding his admiration for the doctor and his son’s dress. This dress is called a suit, only the elite wear it. As for the boy, he wears a school uniform.

School! Do they give this dress in school? exclaimed Garang astoundingly.

Yes, answered the trader and continued, But you got to pay for it. Haven’t you ever had seen a school uniform or a full suit of three pieces. Where’re you from, people?

We’re from around here, and we often come to Rumbek, but this is the first time for us to see such dress, answered Garang in a sharp way feeling irony in the trader’s tone, and then he looked at his friends and asked them to leave the shop and do what they had come for. Garang sold his calf for a good price, and after that he started looking for the things he wanted to buy for his family. Garang wanted to buy some flour so they went with him to the place where he could get that, and from there they went to another shop and got tea, sugar and some other domestic things. Garang wanted to buy something for Abuk because of the delivery occasion. He found a beautiful beads necklace so he bought it besides a piece of cloth. While they were bargaining with the seller, they heard a group of people not far from them talking about rebellions. They heard one of them saying that a group of soldiers had disobeyed orders to travel up north and found refuge in the jungle. That was disturbing news, because they had just come out of a devastating war which caused lots of losses in lives and properties. They wanted to know more about that so they moved towards the group and listened. One man said, No, it’s not like that. It’s not just a matter of disobeying orders. They say it’s a revolution, and they say many had deflected and joined them in the bush.

Where are they from? inquired one man.

Another volunteered to answer, They are from Wau Garrison. Most of them are Dinka and Nuer, and they are recruiting people by force, people say they took many young men from the villages of Gogrial and Marial Bai.

So, it’s no longer safe to travel up there, commented another man. Garang and his friends were just listening. Without doubt, they got news that would stir their village and set it agog. No one in their village had ever heard about this new rebellion. The friends withdrew from the crowd and headed for their village. On the way they talked about everything they had seen or heard in Rumbek, but the topic of the rebellion had the biggest share of the discussion. They were all annoyed by the unexpected news. None of them wanted to go through that experience again. It is true that they were just kids when the first war broke, but they learnt how war could turn people’s lives into perdition and a nightmare that would never end. You know what? exclaimed Garang and then continued, I was thinking of making our own army to defend ourselves against the bandits and the thieves who would try to get advantage of the situation.

You’re right, answered Garang, I remember our loss of lives and cattle during the last war, because we were not ready. We did not have rifles, and we thought the army would defend us, but we were wrong.

We should count on ourselves, but how we going to get the guns? asked Mayom.

We can get them from the traders who get them across the borders. They continued talking like that until they reached their village.

As it was a bit late in the evening every one of them headed to his home after agreeing to meet tomorrow at the meeting tree to tell the chief and the elders about what they heard in Rumbek. Abuk met her husband at the gate of their compound with Thong as Luwal was sleeping inside. Thong ran to meet his father outside, followed by his two dogs while his mother waited at the gate not hiding her happiness with the return of her husband, safe from his journey. Garang entered his compound and Abuk helped him to download what he had been carrying for hours. Immediately, he pulled out the piece of cloth he had bought for her, held it for her to see in the dim light filled with smoke from the burning wood log. Abuk was happy and thanked her husband who surprised her with the necklace which made her utter shouts of joy. Abuk thanked her husband lovingly this time for the gifts. Thong looked at his father with questioning eyes, who did not keep him waiting on that situation for long, Yes son, I’ve brought you something which you’d like, I’m sure, and Garang pulled out a small plastic bag filled with small coloured candies and raised it up in his hand. Thong knew what the plastic bag contained and jumped shouting with joy and seized it from his father’s hand who exchanged smiles of joy and content with his wife. Thong tore the plastic cover and started sucking the candies one by one. Garang turned to his wife and bore a serious face. Abuk got annoyed and asked him what was wrong. We heard some annoying news in Rumbek, Garang said this and stopped for a while then continued to relieve his wife who began to feel restless but said nothing, only her eyes showed the puzzle which started in her mind. We heard people in Rumbek talking about a rebellion. They say that some soldiers have deflected and now they have started recruiting young men to fight the government. It seems that we’ll never know peace.

Oh my God, what wrong have we done to deserve this? We grew up during the last war, we don’t want our children to go through what we had experienced.

That was what I thought about when I first heard the news. Let’s pray to Nhailic and beseech him that this war will never reach us here.

I hope the same as you; now let me give you something to eat.

Wait a minute, I haven’t finished yet, said Garang seizing his wife’s hand gently and seated her close to him. You see, in Rumbek we saw a man who was wearing very nice cloth. I’ve never seen someone wearing something like that. It was not only him, but his son also was wearing beautiful cloth too.

What cloth? Were they Arabs or English? asked Abuk not hiding her eagerness to know all about the man and his son besides their cloth that had attracted her husband’s attention and made him stop her from giving him food. Believe it or not, Striking Beauty, they were Baria, said Garang and stopped for a while to see the effect of the information he provided about the man and his son on his wife. He did not want to give all he had known about the Baria man and his son at a time. Abuk’s reaction was just like his when he first knew about the man. She just uttered one word. Full of astonishment, Baria?

Yeah, he was Baria and guess what? and this time Garang did not wait to listen to his wife’s answer, but went on telling his story, He’s the new doctor of Rumbek Hospital.

The doctor of the hospital of Rumbek? exclaimed Abuk.

Yes, could you believe that? The Manducrew said he became a doctor by going to school and then to college. We must send our boys to school and then to college. I’d love so much to see our sons as doctors wearing that suit. I’d do anything to see that done.

Yes, my lord, it could be done. If a Baria boy could do that, then a Mujhang could do it better.

Yeah, that was what had crossed my mind, sweetie. I promise you that you will be the mother of doctors, the ones who wear those fancy three-piece suit. Now, food time, I’m starving.

In a minute, it’ll be before you. Abuk disappeared and returned with a big tray filled with mallet gruel and a bowl filled with warm milk. Abuk sat beside her husband watching him having his meal with loving eyes until he had finished his food and then they went to sleep dreaming of the future doctors—their sons.

Moving to Rumbek

Garang dreaming about the future of his children

Early and before dawn could be seen, Garang woke up and turned to where his wife was to find that she had already preceded him and had started making something for the breakfast. Thong and Luwal were still enjoying their long night sleep, but soon they got up and joined their parents. The little family had its morning breakfast, and by then the sun rays had filled the village. Garang excused his wife and said