Living on the banks of the Nile River, near the city of Malakal, the Chollo (“word of mouth”) people, also known as Shilluk, are a major Nilotic ethnic group in southern Sudan. They were brought to their present location by the great Shilluk leader and hero, Nyakang. The latter is believed to represent a bridge between the Shilluk and Juok, the supreme God. Furthermore, the spirit of Nyakang is reincarnated in every Shilluk king, also known as Reth. Juok is formless and invisible and is everywhere at once. He is recognized as the creator of all things, and Nyakang is invoked with Juok. In this regard, Nyakang serves as a mediator between the people and their god. Reth, the Shilluk king, is the supreme spiritual ...