Twi Dinka freedom History
Dinka Twic East chronological sufferings of Sudan (South Sudan) civil war from 1967 to 2011
Historically, Twic/Twi community is a peaceful county that believes in tolerance, respect for human life, personal dignity, communal integrity, governance transparency, and pride as the records of good relationship with neighboring counties within Jonglei State manifests. The reason why we believe in peaceful co-existence with our neighbors is because we are one people through intermarriages, geographical proximity, and shared history. As people of the Republic of South Sudan continue celebrate the birth of the new nation, it is an honor for the Twi community to afford South Sudanese a glimpse of the history of massacre in 1967 when Khartoum government ordered the killing of 17 chiefs in Twi County (Twic County). That 1967 massacre is remembered according to Twi Dinka’s traditional calendar as Run ë Näŋ de Bäny; literally meaning, the year in which the chiefs were killed. Among them were paramount chiefs Ajang Duot Bior and Bul Koch who were asked by Khartoum’s brutal judiciary to jump into burning fire if they believed South Sudan’s land belonged to South Sudanese. The killing took place in Paliau and a mass grave of the assassinated chiefs was marked in the same payam. These chiefs were civilians, but they suffered untold suffering because they were known for their unwavering support for the dignity of their people and of being loyal citizens for the course of South Sudanese’s freedom; leaving historical records as source for future learning for generations to come.
What we learn from 1967 massacre in Twic Dinka tribe
Ø We learn that in 1967 in Twi County (Twic East), there were untold massacres of able-minded leaders
Ø We learn that our community has been suffering in the hands of Khartoum government during the Anya Nya war and before the second civil war of 1983.
Ø We learn that Twi community chiefs massacre is a unique legacy not found in many communities across South Sudan
Ø We learn that these chiefs have not died in vain as their lives are part of more than 2 million lost in the course of our struggle for freedom
Ø We learn that the chiefs have set precedent of resistance for Anya Nya I, Anya Anya II and Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M)
Ø We learn that their sacrifices have contributed greatly towards independence of South Sudan.
Moreover, our chiefs’ legacy of unwavering support has transpired into achievable vision. For example, the founder of the SPLA/M who came from Twi community has lead the course of South Sudanese knowing what had happened in his home county. The assassination of almost all the community leaders was not only a humiliation to the Islamic government in Khartoum, but also, an act of inhumanity. That unforgettable incident energized late Dr. John Garang de Mabior Atem to define South Sudan fundamental problems in the right way. In Twi community, it was not only the founder and father of the SPLA/M, Dr. John Garang, who was inspired by the call for freedom, many sons and daughters of that community picked up the legacy by joining the ranks and files of Anaya I & II plus Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA/SPLM) as of July 9, 2011.
Other credited source: Twi Society of Canada and revised by one of theTwic Dinka Artists.
"Give credit where credit is really deserves"
Historically, Twic/Twi community is a peaceful county that believes in tolerance, respect for human life, personal dignity, communal integrity, governance transparency, and pride as the records of good relationship with neighboring counties within Jonglei State manifests. The reason why we believe in peaceful co-existence with our neighbors is because we are one people through intermarriages, geographical proximity, and shared history. As people of the Republic of South Sudan continue celebrate the birth of the new nation, it is an honor for the Twi community to afford South Sudanese a glimpse of the history of massacre in 1967 when Khartoum government ordered the killing of 17 chiefs in Twi County (Twic County). That 1967 massacre is remembered according to Twi Dinka’s traditional calendar as Run ë Näŋ de Bäny; literally meaning, the year in which the chiefs were killed. Among them were paramount chiefs Ajang Duot Bior and Bul Koch who were asked by Khartoum’s brutal judiciary to jump into burning fire if they believed South Sudan’s land belonged to South Sudanese. The killing took place in Paliau and a mass grave of the assassinated chiefs was marked in the same payam. These chiefs were civilians, but they suffered untold suffering because they were known for their unwavering support for the dignity of their people and of being loyal citizens for the course of South Sudanese’s freedom; leaving historical records as source for future learning for generations to come.
What we learn from 1967 massacre in Twic Dinka tribe
Ø We learn that in 1967 in Twi County (Twic East), there were untold massacres of able-minded leaders
Ø We learn that our community has been suffering in the hands of Khartoum government during the Anya Nya war and before the second civil war of 1983.
Ø We learn that Twi community chiefs massacre is a unique legacy not found in many communities across South Sudan
Ø We learn that these chiefs have not died in vain as their lives are part of more than 2 million lost in the course of our struggle for freedom
Ø We learn that the chiefs have set precedent of resistance for Anya Nya I, Anya Anya II and Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M)
Ø We learn that their sacrifices have contributed greatly towards independence of South Sudan.
Moreover, our chiefs’ legacy of unwavering support has transpired into achievable vision. For example, the founder of the SPLA/M who came from Twi community has lead the course of South Sudanese knowing what had happened in his home county. The assassination of almost all the community leaders was not only a humiliation to the Islamic government in Khartoum, but also, an act of inhumanity. That unforgettable incident energized late Dr. John Garang de Mabior Atem to define South Sudan fundamental problems in the right way. In Twi community, it was not only the founder and father of the SPLA/M, Dr. John Garang, who was inspired by the call for freedom, many sons and daughters of that community picked up the legacy by joining the ranks and files of Anaya I & II plus Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA/SPLM) as of July 9, 2011.
Other credited source: Twi Society of Canada and revised by one of theTwic Dinka Artists.
"Give credit where credit is really deserves"