Nyangatom people

The Nyangatom also known as Donyiro and pejoratively as Bumé are Nilotic agro-pastoralists inhabiting the border of southwestern Ethiopia, southeastern South Sudan, and the Ilemi Triangle.^[2] They speak the Nyangatom language.

Nyangatom

Donyiro
Nyangatom woman
Total population
30,000[1] (est.)
Regions with significant populations
Ethiopia South Sudan
Languages
Nyangatom language
Religion
Christian and Traditional African Religion
Related ethnic groups
Other Ateker people, Other Nilotic peoples

Overview

The Nyangatom are members of the Ateker or Karamojong cluster that also contains the Turkana, Toposa, Karamojong, Iteso people (Kenya AND Uganda), Ibo People (Nigeria) and Jie who speak closely related languages. They number approximately 30,000 ^[1] with populations in both South Sudan and Ethiopia. Many Nyangatom are nomadic, residing in mobile livestock villages that may migrate several times a year. A substantial number of Nyangatom also reside in semi-permanent villages. It is common for individuals to move between mobile cattle camps and semi-permanent villages.^[2]

The Nyangatom have intermittent conflict with many of their neighbors, especially the Turkana, Dassanetch, and Suri.^[3] Despite the risk of intergroup conflict, many Nyangatom have bond friends with members of other groups and there are trade relationships between the Nyangatom and many of their neighbors.

Along with other groups in the Lower Omo Valley, the Nyangatom face challenges to their future subsistence and cultural traditions due to large-scale agricultural projects occurring in their territory.^[4][5]