Abuk

Abuk is the name of the first woman in the world according to the Dinka people of Southern Sudan. The Dinka believe that the Creator made Abuk and Garang, the first man, out of the rich clay of Sudan. Once Abuk and Garang were created, they were placed in a huge pot; when the Creator opened the pot, the man and woman were fully formed as good-looking beings, except that the woman was small, much smaller than the Creator thought good. Therefore, Abuk was placed in a container full of water. She was left there for a time, and then when she had swelled up like a sponge to the size of a regular human being, the Creator was pleased.

However, Abuk and Garang were given ...