Otuho people
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Background[edit]
The Otuho people, also known as the Lotuko, are a Nilotic ethnic group whose traditional home is the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan. They speak the Otuho language.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 500,000–700,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 South Sudan | |
| Languages | |
| Lotuko, English | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional African religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Nilotic peoples |
Demographics[edit]
The Otuho are bordered by the Lopit in the North, the Bari on the West, the Acholi and the Madi in the South west, and the Didinga and the Boya in the East.[citation needed] Their region is characterized by ranges and mountain spurs such as the Imotong mountain, the highest mountain in South Sudan with an altitude of 10,453 ft above sea level.
Subsistence[edit]
They engage in some subsistence agriculture; their main crops are sorghum, ground nuts, simsim (sesame), and maize in the plains, or telebun, dukhn, sweet potatoes, and tobacco in the hills.[2]
Land is owned by no single person, but in trust by the community. In the mountains, after finding a site, the group decides the boundaries of each person's garden, with certain areas being fallow (for up to 10 years) and others open to cultivation (for up to 4 years).[citation needed]
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| Traditional African religions |
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Religion[edit]
Their primary religion is an ethnic religion based on nature and ancestor worship that is deeply rooted in their ethnic identity; conversion to another religion essentially equates to cultural assimilation. The chief god of the Otuho is called Ajok; he is generally seen as kind and benevolent, but can be angered.[3][failed verification] In Otuho mythology he once answered a woman's prayer for the resurrection of her son. Her husband, however, was angry and re-killed the child. Ajok was annoyed by his actions and swore never to resurrect any Otuho again, and in this manner, death was said to have become permanent.
Marriage in Otuho society[edit]
According to the Lokoya tradition, the institution of marriage and sex is a means for child bearing, which is a lifetime achievement. Much interest is attached to the development of the girls because of the bride-wealth that accrues from their marriage.
Marriage begins with courtship (etharama), which may begin on the road when the girl is going to fetch water or in their sleeping quarters. The boy expresses his love and interest to marry (amumo).
This could take a long time before the girl accepts. Lokoya tradition prohibits marriages to kins and other blood relations. Acceptance of marriage proposal (eruhon) kicks off the marriage process and the paying of bride-wealth, which is done in bits according to the stage. The bride-wealth is distributed or shared out to all the relatives (maternal and paternal). Extra- or pre-marital conception is deplored and the culprit is heavy fined.
References[edit]
- ^ "AFRICA | 101 Last Tribes - Lotuko people".
- ^ "Lotuko (Otuho)". gurtong.net. Retrieved 3 Jan 2018. [dead link]
- ^ Lynch, Patricia Ann (2004). African Mythology A to Z. Facts on File. ISBN 9780816048922.
External links[edit]
- Lotuka (Otuho) people on Gurtong.net
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