Ethnic groups in South Sudan

South Sudan is incredibly diverse, with over 60 different ethnic groups. Anthropologists have traditionally classified the peoples and tribes of South Sudan into six distinct groups. The majority of the South Sudanese population is defined as Nilotic, meaning that their tribal origins can be traced to the White Nile. Other groups include Central Sudanese, Nilo-Hamid, Bariphone, Zande and Anyuak. Each of these groups is defined by a multitude of ethnic, historical and linguistic factors.

The Dinka (a Nilotic people) are the largest ethnic group in South Sudan, forming approximately 35.8% of the population according to 2011 estimates.4 The Nuer (also Nilotic) are the second largest ethnic group (15.6%). Other ethnicities or tribes include the Shilluk (Chollo), Luo, Bari, Azande, Anuak, Murle, Kuku, Kakwa, Mandari, Murle, Ndogom Lndi, Lango, Didinga, Dungatona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit, Bviri, Kreish, Bongo, Jiek and Nuba.

Within each ethnic group, there are further subdivisions. For example, the Dinka people are divided into at least 25 ethnic subgroups, each with their own cultural practices, dialects and traditions. Smaller Dinka tribes include the Malual, Twic, Rek, Ruweng, Bor, Agar, Atwot, and Ngok Ablinug.

This brief overview makes it clear that the social landscape of southern Sudan is exceptionally diverse. It is not possible to provide a complete description of each tribe, its subgroups, and their different cultural, religious, and linguistic identities within the scope of this profile. Therefore, it is important to recognize that all descriptions of a dominant "South Sudanese culture" are subject to variation across tribes and ethnicities. These distinctions are particularly apparent when examining the livelihoods, customary laws, marriage systems, and everyday objects of different ethnic groups.