CSI in South Sudan: The Faces of Slavery @csi-usa - Tumblr Blog

Bol Bol Mayen

Liberated: 2019 Age: 33 years old

Bol is from Warawar village. He was captured when Arabs attacked Warawar in 1990s. He was in his village taking care of goats. He was captured with all his goats and taken to north Sudan. Many people were killed in his village. Children, girls, women, men were captured. Bol witnessed 3 Dinka men killed in front of him by Arabs because they refused to walked. Arab shot them dead. As they walked with them to north Sudan, Arabs were walking beside them while they walked in one line and no talking. At night, they would sleep in one place while Arabs surrounding them. He thought that he would die and that’s the end of his life. In north Sudan, he was given to Hessian Adam, Arab master. He has 2 wives. Bol was made to take care of goats as a young boy, then when he grew up, Arab master moved him to care of cows. He was forced to Islam. Most of the time, he was given leftover food to eat. If he did not get up early in the morning, Arab master would insult him and beat him. Bol met many slaves in Marem. He did try to escape one day but Arab master shot his leg with a gun, mark could be seen in his leg.

Makuom Mawein Tong

Liberated: 2019 Age: 31 years old

Makuom was born in Akoch Atong Mabil village, north of Aweil town. As a young boy in 1980s his father enrolled him in a school near his village. But a few days later, news were everywhere that Arabs are planning to attack Dinka tribe villages. His father pulled out from school and kept him at home because he was so afraid from Arabs’s attack.

At night during dry season, Arabs attacked his village. He ran and hid nearby forest. Many people from his village ran to the forest, but Arabs followed them. His father was killed by Arabs and captured him with others. All children who were captured with him were forced to walk with Arabs to north Sudan. I walked quickly with them because I was so afraid to be killed. They walked with us in the forests. We were lined up in one line where Arabs walked beside us. Every night we slept; Arabs would gather us in one place. They gave us boiled sorghum to eat. It was not enough food, but we cannot complain or say anything. 4 Dinka adult men were killed on our way to north Sudan. They refused to walked. Arabs shot them dead.

When we arrived to Kiir Adeem, Arabs met to discuss how they will distribute us. I was given to Adam Musa, Arab master. He took me to his Raskanida. He has a wife and 5 children. I was forced to care of goats. It was not normal life; I was a real slave. I was so worried every day to be killed. I was so afraid. No good food, no clothes and I was not paid for the work I did. I was just a slave. Arab master would beat me very badly if I lost one goat and called me very bad names (Jienge, dirty, monkey). There are many Dinka slave in Rashanida. One day, Arab master sent me to the market, I met with the retriever, he saw me and came to me and asked me if I am a Dinka tribe. I said yes, Iam a Dinka. Arab retriever followed me to Arab master home. He met with Arab master. I am not sure what happened in their meeting, but I think Arab retriever gave something to Arab master. Arab retriever took me to his camp. I met with many other slaves in the camp. We walked to South Sudan. Arab retriever gave us food to eat. He gave us used clothes. I was so afraid, I thought Arab master will follow us with his men and killed us, but we arrived to South Sudan safely. I thank God for bringing me back to South Sudan.

Akuc Tong Lual

Liberated: 2019 Age: 22 years old

Akuc was born in north Sudan. Her parents were captured by Arabs and took them to north Sudan. She was taken away from her parents by Arab master. Her parents were so afraid and they did not do anything to stop Arab master. She was crying, but that did not help her and did not stop Arab master from taking her away from her mother and father. Arab master has two wives and many children. He made her to work at home to clean house, washed dishes, washed clothes and fetched water from very far. She was raped by Arab master and she has 2 children with him. She was forced to Islam. She was afraid and she had to do nothing about it. She slept alone in a very bad condition. She was insulted and called bad names. Akuc ran away from Arab master when she heard about Arab retriever at night. She left her two children with Arab master. She thanked Arab retriever for bring her back to South Sudan. She said that Arab retriever was so nice to them while walking on foot from north Sudan to South Sudan. She said that Arab retriever gave them food and used clothes.

Kiir Uchan Majok

Liberated: 2019

What was your work in slavery? I was cultivator in the master’s farm, also work as firewood collector for master wives for cooking, my master has got four wives.

How many were you in the master’s farm? We were four in the farm but two of our colleagues were killed by the master, when they decided one day to take rest in the a shade on their own without permission from the master, he called them out of his farm and called one of his friends, they tied their hands and feet, blindfolded them and they slaughtered them by cutting their throat with a knife. Two of us were called there by master to witness the execution and he said have you seen? We said in panic, yes. If you do the same they did, you will have same punishment, go back to your work.

Dhan Deng Bol

Liberated: 2019

I was abducted in Gokmachar in 1998, we were 5 in number, 2 men and three 3 ladies, during the raid, I saw 4 four people being killed on spot, they were shot dead when they refused to move along with the abducted group to the north Sudan.

We immediately ordered by the raiders to help them drove the goats for them by arriving in the middle of forest, when getting dark, we were all moved with gun point to make thorn fence for the goats and for our self and they slept around the fence to watch for the escapees, in the morning we continue, within the domestic fence 3 three people were killed in our group when they tried to escape at night, 2 two were slaughtered[ cut on throat] and one was shot dead after he managed to over jumped the fence, soon after we arrived in north Sudan, we divided among themselves, a master who don’t want too many people in his house has to sell some to those who need.

Kolong Guot Mayuol

Liberated: 2019

I was abducted in Chumic, a village near Nyamlel town in 1992. It happen in the morning, we heard the sound of guns in the vicinity of Nyamlel town, as we hurried up trying to run away for hiding, we found that our cattle camp is already besieged by [ muraalin] Arab raiders and they ordered us on guns point not to move, hence when one of our cattle camp tried to resist, they shot him dead on spot that caused everybody panicking and shivering with fear. i mmediately after we were caught, they separated us with our cattle and they decided to give us goats that they took from different part of the area instead of our cows while our cows are given to different group to drive along. We were 7 seven in number in the cattle camp;

Abuk Akot Wol

Liberated: 2019 Age: 24

I was kidnapped in Mabior Anguei of Aweil north county, it was early in the morning about 8 AM. We saw people coming on horse backs and camels, when we stood up for recognition and trying to run away, they soon arrived and ordered us to sit down in cluster and they tied our hands into single rope then they started burning our houses and neighbors’ homes too. They shot down 5 five people who tried to resist, we were taken 15 people in number; men , boys, girls and women. On the way, some of the people who became tired were tied behind the horses to full them along, some died of pulling and rest accepted to walk.

Titleeng Deng Chan

Age: 37 years old Year: Captured: 2000 Freed: 2016

I was with my mother in my village Leuth Lual and one day my mother sent me to the pound to collect water. On my way to the pound I met with Arabs. They were on horses. They stopped me and grabbed me with my arm. I refused to move. Three Arabs men got down on their horses and pushed me to move. I walked with them on foot until we arrived to another village. We met with other Arabs. There were many Dinka people who were captured and we were put in one place and guarded by Arabs. We were forced to walk to North Sudan. I was raped by 4 Arabs men on the way to North Sudan. We walked in one line and if you walk slowly you will be beaten. We ate left over from Arabs and we walked 6 days before we arrived to North Sudan. I was given to Mohammed, Arab master. He has one wife, Amiena with 6 children. I used to wash clothes, cleaned house, and collected water. Arab children were not allowed to sit with me. I was called bad names everyday (Jiengi), Nal Abuk (Damn your father), Nal Dienke (Damn your religion), Kucumak (your mother vagina). One day I did try to escape because of this bad treatment, but I was caught by Arab Master. He beat me and brought me back to his house. There are many Dinka slaves in the area. I met with the slave retriever in the market. He asked me if I am a Dinka and want to go back to South Sudan. He said that he will give Arab master something if he come after me. I did not know what he gave Arab Master. He took me to his camp. He put us in a truck and drove us to the border between South Sudan and Sudan, then we walked on foot to South Sudan. Arab retriever gave food to eat on the way to South Sudan. I did not find my family in South Sudan, but I am happy to be back to South Sudan.

Alom Kuol Koor

Age: 38 years old Year Captured: 1998 Freed: 2016

I was captured at Marialbaai when I went to collect water in the pond. Arabs came and ran away from them. They caught me and beat me with a wood because I ran. Many Dinka were captured with us and we were forced to walk to north Sudan. We walked for 10 days to north Sudan. There was no enough food and water. There Dinka men complained and asked to get more water. They were killed. Two were slaughtered and the other man was killed after his ears were cut off first by Arabs. When we arrived to north Sudan I was given to Idris, Arab master. He has two wives and 11 children. I used to collect water, clean the house and washed clothes. One day I asked to be given a few hours to rest. Arab master’s wife got upset and poured hot water to my body. My neck burned and my arms burned very badly. I was not allowed to go to the hospital. I escaped one night and met with the slave retriever in another village. He took me to his camp and bring me back to South Sudan with other slaves. I left 3 children in north Sudan. Two girls and one boy. I left Amina, Zanab and Omar in north Sudan. I was given to Dina slave called Hassan. He is still in north Sudan. There are many Dinka slaves in the area.

Adup Aguer Deng

Age: 45 years old Year Captured: 1998 Freed: 2016

There was fighting in Nyimlel between Sudanese People Liberation Army (SPLA) and Arabs. I ran to Adhoutic village and hid in forest. Arabs found me hiding and they started beating me. One Arab stabbed me with a knife to my arm, another Arab cut my head with a hoe, then they tight me down with a rope. Many Dinka were caught and we were gathered in one place. 4 Dinka were suspected to be member of SPLA because the way the look. 3 of them were slaughtered in front of us and another one was burned to death. We all were sitting watching these bad things. We just put our head down, that’s all what we can do. We walked 6 days to North Sudan. Many Dinka cows were looted. In north Sudan I was given to Adam, Arab master. He has one wife, Fatima, she has 6 children, 4 girls and 2 boys. My job was to watch donkeys and worked in a farm. Anytime donkey lost I was beaten and called bad names: Jienge, slave, (Mafein), dirty and smell bad. I was forced to Muslim When I Adam Musa came to the area with his men, I went to them and they took me to their camp and brought me back to South Sudan.

Acheek Bol Thiep

Liberated: 2019 Age: 35 years old Captured: 1995

“I was captured in Khouich village. I was with my older sister. I was babysitter for my sister’s baby. My sister and I left Khouich and went down to Rumaker looking for food because there was a starvation that year. Arabs gathered us in Rumaker. They took us to north Sudan to work for them. I was so young and I was very afraid. Arabs have guns. They were so angry and we have to do what they told us. Two Dinka men tried to escaped, they were captured by Arab and slaughtered them in front of us. I was so scare and I thought they will kill us all before we arrived to north Sudan. In north Sudan I was given to Ali. He made me his slave to work for his wife and his children. I washed clothes and clean house. I was forced to Islam. I was given to another Dinka slave and I have 4 children with him. I get sick and no one take me to the hospital. I left Arab’s master home at night and met with Arab retriever in another village. I left 4 of children with Arab master in Sudan. I pray for God to bring them back to me in South Sudan. Arab retriever brought me back to South Sudan with other slaves walking on foot. Arab retriever gave us food to eat on the way to South Sudan. I am happy to be back to South Sudan. I am thinking about my children in north Sudan.

Bol Diany Deng

Liberated: 2019 Captured: 1988 Age: 41

“I was a very young boy when Arabs took me to north Sudan. I was in Ariath town. I was playing outside with other children when Arab came and gave us date to eat, then all of us where taken away by forced to north Sudan. I walked with them until we arrived. Arab master, Mahomed took me to his home. He has 2 wives and many children. I was forced to look after his goats as a young boy. When I grew up, he moved me to take care of his cows. The treatment was so bad. I was given leftover and bad food to eat. I have my own cup to use for drinking water. I slept alone in a tent. I was called very bad names (jienge, animal). I worked very hard every day without any payment. I was beaten one day when I lost one goat. I still have pain in my kidney until today. I was forced to Islam.” He speaks very good Arabic. He met with the slave retriever in next village while he was with Arab master’s goats. He left with him and went to his camp and came back to South Sudan with him.

Atak Adim Lual

Liberated: 2019 Age: 25 years old

Atak was born in north Sudan, in Majild. Her mother and father were in Majild. One day, in midday, a group of Arabs came to her house and took her away from her parents. She was so young and she was so afraid when she saw Arabs. They grabbed her and put her on a donkey. She cried for help but no one can help her including her own parents. The Arab took her to a village called Kajera. As a young girl, she was used to clean house and washed dishes for Arab master’s wives. Sometime, she looked after goats and fetched water to the Arab master’s family. One morning, Arab master forced her against her will and she was female genital mutilated. She cried a lot and asked for help, but no one there to help her. She was forced to Islam. She spoke very good Arabic. She was forced to fast during Ramadan. As she grew up, the Arab master raped her and she had a baby with him. When the slave retriever came to the area looking for Dinka slave, she escaped at night and met with him in another village. The Arab retriever took her to his camp and brought her back to South Sudan.

Amath Bol Chol

Liberated: 2019 Age: 18 years old

Amath who was born in North Sudan was sold away by Arab master who kept her parents as slaves. Her parents were very quiet when Arab master sold her to another Arab. She did try to resist, but Arab master beat her very badly. New Arab master used her to work for his family without any payment. She washed clothes and cleaned a house. She feels so bad about it, but nothing she can do. Arab master insulted her and called her bad names (dirty, jeinge). She was raped by Arab master son. One day she did not get up early to clean the house, Arab master stabbed her with a knife on her neck. She was forced to Islam and she was impregnated by Arab master’s son. When the retriever came to the village where she was held as slave, Amath went to the market like she wanted to buy something for Arab’s wife. She met with the Arab retriever. He took her to his camp and brought her back to South Sudan with other slaves.

Akot Akol Madut

Liberated: 2019 Captured: 1988 Age: 43

Akot told me his story and he was so confident about what he was telling me: “I grew up in Lieth Ajongdit village. I was in a cattle camp when I was captured by Arabs. One day, I traveled to Rumaker near north Sudan border to sell our one cow in the market. Before I reached Rumaker market, I met with Arabs on horses and donkeys. They captured me with 10 people and took us to north Sudan. We were lined up and told not to talk. One Dinka man was slaughtered in front of us because he tried to escape. I was afraid to be killed. We ate leftover from Arabs on our way to North Sudan. We walked for 15 days until we arrived to north Sudan. I was given to Abderaman. He took me to his house. I slept in a tent alone and ate alone. During dry season, I slept under tree. I was forced to Islam and every morning; I awake up and pray with Arab master. I have to be behind him when we pray. I was beaten by Arab master because I lost one goat. I still have pain in my ribs. I met with the Arab retriever in the forest while I was looking after Arab master’s goats. He went to Arab master and gave him something then took me with him to his camp. We walked with Arab retriever to South Sudan. It was too scary as we walked back to South Sudan. I thought Arabs will find us and kill as all, but we made it back to South Safely, thank God.

Adhel Diing Kuan

Liberated: 2019 Age: 30 years old

Adhel was born in Khartoum, then her mother and father moved to Adela village in Southern part of Sudan. Arabs came and took away about 7 Dinka young girls including her, for slavery. She cried, but she was beaten. She was so confused, afraid and shaking. That was the last day she saw her mother and her father. She was given to Arab master called Mohamed. She did house work for Arab master family, cleaning and washed clothes. She was raped by Arab master and she was forced to Islam. The treatment was so bad. She was called bad names, dog, jienge, and monkey. The Arab retriever saw her and he asked her if she is a Dinka slave. She told him she is slave Dinka to an Arab in Adela. The retriever and his men went to Arab master’s home and game him something. She came back to South Sudan with the Arab retriever. She said he gave them food on the way to eat before they arrived to South Sudan. She is so happy to be back to South Sudan.

Garang Deng Deng

Liberated: 2019 Age: 47 years

Garang is from Marial Adal, Aweil East State. He was captured in cattle camp. Here is how he stated his story: ”I was in a cattle camp during dry season. Arabs came at night and surrounded our cattle. I ran, but Arabs captured me with my cousin. They beat us, hit my cousin with a gun and stabbed me in the head with a knife. They captured us with cows and forced us to go to north Sudan with them. They have guns, horses and donkeys. They killed adults and took young men and young girls with cows. We walked with them for days until we arrived to Atit, north Sudan. Cows were divided and we were divided too. Arab master, Adharaman took me. My cousin was taken by another Arab master. I never saw him again. First, Arab master put me in his cattle camp to take care of his cows. He warned me not to lose any cow or he will kill me. At the cattle camp, I cook my own food and sleep alone in an open area. Arab master would sleep in a tent. When I grew up, he would take me to his farm to help his two wives. I worked in a farm for long hours, from 6 am to 6 pm. I was given leftover food to eat. I can’t complain or he will beat me. During dry season, Arab master will send me with cows (200 cows) to the bore hole and pump water for cows. It was very hard job for one person and I can’t refuse. When Arab master gave me a work to do, I have to finish it or I would be beaten and given even more works to do. I was forced to Islam. Arab master gave me a Dinka slave girl. Her name is Adut. I have 2 children with her, one boy and one girl. I left them with Arab master. I was so angry to be a slave. When people told me about the Arab retriever, I ran at night and met him in another village. He took me to his camp and brought me to South Sudan with other slaves.

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CSI in South Sudan: The Faces of Slavery