Many said for safety and security – from predators, both man
and beast. We have heard hyena at night
at the house and we have been told that leopard frequent our area; with the reports of
cattle raiding and inter-clan violence, we can see the logic of this reasoning.
Others said it was a place to keep smaller
livestock like chickens and goats out of harm’s
way at night and a place for small children to be kept safe and out of mischief.
Still others commented that putting the harvest of
groundnuts and grains like sorghum in the upper room secures it, for a time,
from insects and other pests including the smaller livestock (unless you put
them in there!), which may erode the
year’s harvest .
We just think it is cool!
We’ve seen beds out on the upper platform during the really hot months
of January-April, allowing folks to sleep outdoors in the cooler air -- by bringing
up the ladder one can sleep in relative safety.
While this is not a picture of an upper room, we thought it
an interesting take on the esteem given livestock in South Sudan.
While walking through a small compound the other day, we happened to glance into a hut. Seeing the exalted position this goat seems
to have taken, finding a place of rest at the foot of a bed, was in a way
surprising to our knowledge of African culture in general and yet not so surprising
as we learn more of the Dinka culture.
The Dinka prize their livestock. In other countries it is the owner’s
responsibility to keep his livestock out of the road and away from traffic. Here the driver is responsible if he hits an
animal --whether that animal runs into the road or is lying in the middle of
the road – the driver pays the owner of the beast. So be aware!
Differences in culture make for a unique and colorful world.
As we learn more about the cultures of
South Sudan, we see the beautiful tapestry that God is weaving. Today’s world is an intermingling of
different cultures. However at times culture comes in direct opposition to God’s
word. Pray that God would allow each of
us to be open to other cultures, but in doing so be ready to confront aspects
of culture, especially our own, which conflict with God’s word.