Citizens in Abyei have raised concerns that the local Dinka language could slowly dissapear due to a number of factors.In a panel from the radio show Abyei This Week, local Dinka leaders said that their language is often spoken, but infrequently read or written.
Deng Monyluak, a local chief, told the panel that children should be taught how to read or write as a way to preserve Dinka culture. The director of the Rummamer County primary schools, Peter Majok Deng, said that there were no teachers to teach Dinka. In the end, a lack of resources is crippling the effort to teach Dinka, Bolis Monyroor Athian, the Secretary General of the Dinka Language Society in Abyei, said on the show.
Also on the Abyei This Week program, Abyei women elected their first women’s union since 2005. Afaf Arop Ajingf was elected chairperson, and said she would attempt to boost women’s empowerment, and initiate development projects. One woman, Monica Chol, told the program she wants the leadership to build an office to meet.
The program also discussed rising fuel prices. A 20-liter jerry can of clean water has risen from 3 ssp to 15 ssp in Aniet market this week after the water tanks in the market broke down, the program said. A tea seller in Aniet market, Anoon Kiir, told the program she did not boil tea for customers because there was no water and appealed to concern authorities for help.